Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) visited Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) to give a lecture and strengthen cooperation. The visit was conducted on Monday (29/4) at the UMSU Meeting Room on Muchtar Basri Street No.3 Medan.
Present were Dato’ Dr. Mohamad Zabawi Bin Abdul Ghani as Chairman of the Mardi Steering Committee, Director of the Mardi Horticultural Research Center Dr. Zulhami Bin Sayuti, Head of the Mardi Corporate Communication Center Encik Kamarul Anuar Bin Ismail, Vice Rector I Prof. Dr. Arifin Gultom, M.Hum, Vice Rector II Prof. Dr. Akrim, M.Pd and Vice Rector III Dr. Rudianto, M.Si as well as the Heads of Faculties and Institutions at UMSU.
UMSU and MARDI Malaysia have been collaborating since 2020; one form of collaboration and cooperation that has been implemented is the International Field Work Practice (PKL) of 2023 Faculty of Agriculture students. UMSU is the first campus accepted by MARDI to carry out training.
Chairman of Mardi Malaysia, Abdul Ghani, emphasized the mutual benefits of the ongoing cooperation with UMSU, even after his tenure at MARDI. “I firmly believe that this MoU with UMSU should be continued for the betterment of both countries and institutions,” he expressed, instilling a sense of optimism for the future of this partnership.
He said several activities had been carried out, including collaboration, student exchanges, and everything that was in accordance with MARDI and UMSU, for example, in the fields of Technology and Agriculture.
“We are excited about the potential for new programs between MARDI and UMSU. We are committed to continuing the UMSU student exchange program to MARDI for further studies and more,” expressed the Steering Chair of Mardi, fostering a sense of anticipation for the future of this partnership.
Meanwhile, UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP, represented by WR II UMSU Prof. Dr. Akrim, M.Pd, hopes that the presence of MARDI at UMSU can provide various new information and challenges that become opportunities in the future, “We hope that MARDI can provide opportunities for UMSU students to do International Field Work Practices and other training,” hoped Prof. Akrim.
During this visit, the ranks of MARDI also broadcast on UMSU Radio, shared information and experiences related to agriculture at the Faculty of Agriculture to resource persons in the UMSU Ideas & Talks forum.