Serdang, 21 July 2023 - Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP) lead by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Zulkhairi Mohd Yusoff, Head of Biopolymer and Derivatives Laboratory and together with Senior Lecturer of the Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Dr. Norzanalia Saadun; INTROP Research Officer, Dr Chin Kit Ling; and INTROP Science Officers Mdm. Ana Salleza Md Salleh and Mr Muhamad Azri Mejan had attended the Infrakomas Sdn Bhd Company in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam. INTROP was welcomed by Ir Mohd Redza Mahmood, the Executive Director of Majunaka Eco Energy Sdn Bhd, together with Mr Halim and Mr Megat.

This visit was a return visit from INTROP to the industry partner. The 1^st meeting was held on the 15 June 2023 where representatives from Majunaka Eco Energy Sdn Bhd had visited INTROP for initial discussion on the the project collaboration with INTROP, UPM. The first meeting at INTROP was chaired by the Director of INTROP, Prof. Ts. Dr. Khalina Binti Abdan, and was also attended by Dr. Zulkhairi and Dr. Chin Kit Ling. And during this return visit, the 2nd meeting was chaired by Ir. Mohd Redza Mahmood.

This collaboration network is more geared towards the industry's needs in INTROP's niche expertise to assist the company in the implementation of energy production projects from renewable resources, especially biomass. The discussion focused on the main role of INTROP and the expertise of INTROP researchers which can help the company to identify the sustainable biomass resources and in dealing with the problem of biomass resources availability in supplying energy to third parties.

The discussion prolonged to other alternative approach such as urban forestry and landscape conservation initiatives by the City Council that can be identified to support the production of biomass resources and the need to address environmental challenges and greenhouse effects by 2030 through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiatives. For further planning, an NDA and subsequent MOU have been proposed and planned to enable more sustainable cooperation and to be sealed to benefit both the company and UPM.

INTROP welcomes the collaboration where it gives INTROP researchers the opportunity to contribute knowledge to the industry and society in addition to one of the networking and development agendas implemented by UPM.

Date of Input: 01/08/2023 | Updated: 01/08/2023 | amallina.osman