UCAM to work with other universities – chairman
PUTRAJAYA: The University College of Agroscience Malaysia (UCAM) will continue to look for opportunity to work with local and international universities to improve the quality of its teaching and learning.
Its chairman, Dato’ Sri Wan Mohamad Zuki Mohamad, said the main goal of UCAM which was formerly known as RISDA College, is to produce quality graduates.
According to Wan Mohamad Zuki, who is also director general of the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA), the recognition of RISDA College as a university college is a tribute to the agency and the UCAM staff would not waste opportunities to give their best service.
“Today we signed a memorandum of understanding with t he Royal Agricultural University (RAU), United Kingdom to further strengthen the system of education in UCAM in the agriculture field. We will focus on agriculture as it is one of the key sectors of the country.
“This collaboration will involve the exchange of students and teaching staff of UCAM and RAU. I believe this partnership will offer many advantages to UCAM to produce qualified graduates,” he told reporters after the MoU signing ceremony here on Friday.
The MOU signing was witnessed by Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi.
According to Wan Mohamad Zuki, there are 2,600 students studying at UCAM and the college university is aiming to enrol 1,200 students this year.
“Each year we will accept no less than 1,200 new students. With the recognition as a university college, I believe we will continue to get the attention of students who wish to continue their studies.
“With this cooperation, it will give UCAM the advantage of being a choice of students. I have also ordered UCAM to step up promotion to introduce the university college to the community.
“Now the rural community can be proud that they have the option to send their children to UCAM to pursue further education. We in RISDA have the best platform to provide high quality teaching method to the students and this will assure them of job opportunities,” he added.