| Centre for Industrial Relation and Network (CiRNeT)

UPM-MPOC Organized CEO Day@UPM 2019

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA, April 18, 2019 – The CEO Day@UPM 2019 was jointly organized by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) with Center for Industry Relations and Networks and Faculty of Food Science & Technology (FSTM), in collaboration with Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC). The program was organized in conjunction with ‘Love MY Palm Oil' campaign which was launched by the Ministry of Primary Industries Malaysia (MPI) in March 2019 as a year-long campaign to instill immense appreciation and national dignity for Malaysian palm oil. With the theme ‘Meet the CEOs and Get Hired!’, the program took place at Dewan Besar, Pusat Kebudayaan & Kesenian Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, UPM Serdang, Selangor from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m and attended by 1000 participants and exhibitors.

The event was commenced with welcoming remarks by Prof. Datin Paduka Dato’ Dr. Aini Ideris, the Vice Chancellor of UPM. Then, it was following was the address delivered by YB Teresa Kok, the Minister of MPI. The CEO Forum afterwards took place which was chaired by Datuk Dr. Kalyana Sundram, the CEO of MPOC with three CEOs from different sectors as panellists.

The objective of the program was to bring industry captains to the campus and share their vast expericence with university’s students. The first CEO invited was Mr. Joseph Tek Choon Yee, CEO and Managing Director of IJM Plantations Berhad. Mr Joseph has shared about the involvement of IJM Plantantions Berhad in palm oil industry through his speech entitled ‘Fun and Engaging - Does it Sound Like The Palm Oil Industry?’ The second CEO was Mrs Nur Fatin Datuk Seri Ibrahim, the Group Managing Director of Dewina Holdings Sdn Bhd which has talked about food production sector in her speech entitled ‘Challenges and Trends in Food Industry: Do You Have What it Takes to Thrive in the Food Manufacturing Sector?’ The third CEO was Mr. Seelan Paul, the CEO of Media Prima Radio Networks which has shared his experience through his speech entitled ‘Staying Relevant: How to Create Impact in the Current Internet Age?’

Another highlight of the event was the launching of UPM Tenera Association (TENERA). This association has been established in UPM following the success of Palm Oil Student Ambassador Program held on 22 December last year. The program was organized by Faculty of Food Science & Technology, UPM in collaboration with MPOC. The objective of TENERA is to deliver an accurate knowledge on palm oil and palm oil industry to students in tertiary institutions, particularly among UPM students. Additionally, the students registered in the association are considered as young ambassadors which will be involved in programs related to palm oil industry. Establishment of this association will also be of great help in developing the leadership ability, communication skill, and teamwork spirit among the UPM students. Members of this association are substantially involved in organizing this CEO Day@UPM 2019 as committee members.

Concurrent sessions during the program were exhibitions by 14 exhibitors comprised of Government and Non-Governmental Agencies such as MPOC, UPM, FSTM UPM, Perhilitan, WWF-Malaysia, FGV Holdings Berhad, Felcra Berhad, MPOCC, Sime Darby Foundation as well as industry players including Khalis Santan Sawit, Excelvite Sdn. Bhd, Bioley, Mac World Industries, Palm Fiber Sdn. Bhd, PGEO Edible Oil Sdn Bhd and Texas Chicken Malaysia. Most exhibitors are related to agriculture, food, and palm-based sectors. At the same time, walk-in interviews for students were carried out by several companies to find staffs and student internship placements. Moreover, resume drop boxes were provided for companies who are not the exhibitors during the program, yet are interested to offer internship and job placements for students from tertiary institutions. In addition to these internship and job opportunities, Sime Darby Foundation opened the scholarship opportunities for eligible students who are interested to further their studies into Master or PhD level in UPM.

Besides that, Intervarsity Palm Oil Quiz Competition with the theme “Palm Oil: History and Science” was held in the afternoon which involved pre-selected students from different tertiary institutions. Other interactive activities carried out were Foodies Quiz, demonstrations on preparation of palm-based food and non-food products, foods tasting, lucky draws, as well as free coffees and pastries from L’Apprenti Café, FSTM UPM. For the first time, Putra Creamery, an start-up company by Innohub UPM introduced their red palm oil instant ice cream premix to the public. The instant ice cream premix uses patented technology by using palm oil as one of the its ingredient.

The program successfully engaged university students with the invited CEOs. In the future, MPOC plans to expand the program to other universities by using UPM as a role model. UPM received special allocation from MPOC amounting to RM80, 000 for organizing the program.

 

SXDdNAN~