MARDI Malaysia Judges 20 UMSU Agriculture Students Participating in Industrial Training
The Malaysian Institute of Agricultural Research and Progress (MARDI), an official Malaysian government institution that has full authority in agricultural research and progress, held a graduation ceremony for 20 students of the Faculty of Agriculture of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) participating in Industrial training.
The Judicium event was held in Melaka City, Malaysia, on September 27, 2023, at the Hatten Hotel, Judicium. The event marked the completion of the Industrial training, which UMSU Faculty of Agriculture students attended for three weeks.
The Rector of UMSU, represented by Vice Rector II, Prof. Dr. Akrim, M.Pd, was also present at the Yudisium event at the Mardi Campus. In his remarks, he stated that the Industrial Training program for UMSU Faculty of Agriculture students is part of UMSU’s industrial cooperation in the international arena; MARDI is a very strategic institution for UMSU for international cooperation because MARDI is needed by Faculty of Agriculture students to increase competence in the fields of Agrotechnology, Agribusiness, and Agricultural Product Technology.
“Industrial training at MARDI will continue and is planned to be carried out six times a year,” said Prof. Akrim.
At the event, which was held very lively, Akrim thanked the Chairperson of the MARDI Steering Committee for the opportunity given to UMSU because this was the first training given by MARDI to students from universities with many students.
The event was also attended directly by the Chairperson of the MARDI Steering Committee, Dato’ Dr. Mohamad Zabawi bin Abdul Ghani. In his remarks, Dato’ appreciated the enthusiasm and expertise of UMSU Faculty of Agriculture students, who were adaptable and quick to accept lessons from educators at MARDI, so that according to the assessment of the MARDI team, UMSU Faculty of Agriculture students deserved to be given Sijil (diploma) as a sign of passing the Industrial Training at MARDI.
On this occasion, Dato also said that MARDI has 32 Cawangan (Branches) throughout Malaysia, and students of the Faculty of Agriculture UMSU are allowed to carry out Industrial Training in all Cawangan MARDI, added Datuk.
The Industrial Training Program for UMSU students is a form of collaboration between MARDI and UMSU, which has had an MoU since 2020.
Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture UMSU, Dr. Dafni Mawar Tarigan, M.Si, said that the implementation of Industrial Training had been planned for a long time, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was only carried out in 2023,
Dafni stated that this program benefits UMSU Faculty of Agriculture students. With complete facilities and a busy and disciplined training schedule, students get new experiences and learn directly in Malaysia. Students who participated in this exercise amounted to 20 people from the Agrotechnology, Agribusiness, and Agricultural Product Technology Study Programs and were also accompanied by three UMSU Lecturers, said Dafni.
The event was also attended by Timbalan (Vice Chairman) of the Mardi Governing Board, the MARDI Right Committee, and other MARDI officials. The event, full of intimacy, excitement, and kinship, carried the theme Serumpun, Sehati, and Sejiwa, enlivened by traditional dances by Faculty of Agriculture UMSU students and entertained by singers from MARDI.