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(An official Newsletter of Faculty of Agro Industry and Natural Resources)

V O L U M E 4 I S S U E 1 J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 9

FASA INFOLINK

POTENTIAL FOR CULTIVATING Jatropha curcas IN MALAYSIA AND ITS USES AS BIOFUEL: RECENT ADVANCES
Dr A. Sivapragasam, Rice and Industrial Crops Center, MARDI

A talk delivered at the Ceramah Biokeusahawanan Siri ke2

ropha as a biofuel crop has several advantages such as being nonedible oil; being hardy and easy to grow even on marginal and degraded soils; purportedly resistant to pests and diseases; and as an industrial crop that contributes to socio-economic wellbeing of the rural populace by creating jobs and income via its multifarious economic activities. In some countries, it meets the rural needs of energy. However, despite the euphoria surrounding it, one has sobering concerns with regards to the lack of knowledge on the technical knowhow on the crop. This is essentially due to the fact the Jatropha, although has long been endemic to this country, has not been fully domesticated to realize its full potential or otherwise. Essentially, its From The Chief Editors Desk agronomic performance and economic feasibility has not The issue of unemployed graduates has been disbeen ascertained and there are cussed ad nauseam by all concerned parties. Some argued that today's graduates lack the necessary also specific issues pertaining skills such as in communication and good personal to labor requirements espe- image. In two years time, the first batch of students cially for harvesting and main- will graduate from UMK. Will they face the same tenance. Although there are predicament? Will the students be ready to face the challenges of a highly competitive and globalised job numerous foreign information market? sources on these aspects, these Various activities have been organized by the have to be verified under local Faculty in order to address this issue. Activities such conditions. Against the backdrop of commercially-driven interests, the key question raised was - how much of these information are factual? In this context, bridging the gaps in information is a major endeavor. Dr Sivapragasam from the Rice and Industrial Crops Centre, MARDI spoke at length on Potential for cultivating Jatropha curcas in Malaysia and its uses as biofuel: Recent advances.
Continue on page 2 as Students in Enterprise Programme (SIEP), Bioentrepreneurial Talks and Learning Enhancement Programme are designed to add values to the overall learning experience of the students. The Faculty also welcome suggestions and proposals from students on ways to enhance the programmes/activities further.

In our continuing programme on learning enrichment for students of agro industry and natural resources, the Faculty held the second in its series of entrepreneurial talks on 7 February, 2009. While the first in October 2008 covered natural resources specifically on biodiversity and conservation eloquently delivered by WWF Malaysia, this time around the topic chosen was related more to agro industry particularly on the potential of Jatropha as biofuel crop. The physic nut, Jatropha curcas (L.) has been invariably described as the Next Frontier Bioenergy Industry or even as the Miracle Crop. Jat-

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Potential for Cultivating Jatropha as Biofuel Plant UMKs Promotion to Matriculation Colleges Pre-Science Preparatory Programme New Staff Academic Events Rafflesia of Lojing Highlands: Call for Conservation! Knowledge Enrichment Seminar Dean List Ceremony 2008/2009 Deans Meeting with Students Soil Survey Field Trip Soil Laboratory Analysis at DOA Kelantan Students News Next Issue 1 2 2 3 3 4

5 6 6 7 7 8 8

P A G E

Continued from page 1.

PROMOTION OF UMKS COURSES AND PROGRAMMES TO MATRICULATION STUDENTS

By Marinah Muhammad
Two academic staffs of FASA Ms. Marinah Muhammad and Mr. Zaki Mohd Yusoff together with our photographer Mr. Abdul Khaliq Zakaria was at Kolej Matrikulasi Perlis, Arau and Kolej Matrikulasi Pulau Pinang, Kepala Batas on 30 and 31 January 2009, to promote FASA as well as UMK. This was the first promotion exercise organized by the Faculty. Ms Marinah representing FASA delivered an hour-long briefing on the thrust of University as a whole and also those courses offered by the Faculty to about 200 matriculation science students. The response from these students were very encouraging based on the questions and answers session that followed. These ranged from questions on the university itself but particularly on courses offered and the seven programmes made available. Of course many more were interested on the job prospects for students who graduate from UMK. A similar visit was made to another college, Kolej Matrikulasi Pahang, Gambang on 2 February together with Ms Asanah Radhi where about 100 students benefited from the promotion exercise. Two more colleges were targeted, viz. Kolej Matrikulasi Kedah and Kolej MARA Kulim on 21 and 22 February and Ms. Nor Anida Yusoff in tow to assist.

A good 90-minutes of the presentation covered the current research initiatives undertaken at MARDI for Jatropha along the production value chain and shared experiences on the various agronomic and management aspects on the crop. These included: (i) the evaluation of selected accessions of Jatropha based on yield and oil content; (ii) examining the effect of soil and light requirements; (iii) the influence of cultural factors such as topping, and density on yield, harvesting and mechanization and (iv) the impact of pests and diseases.

As with all the colleges that we visited we found that the students were receptive, gained insight into He concluded his talk by underscoring the what the role, mission and vision of UMK is and in particular what FASA could offer them for their future scenario and pertinent needs for a tertiary education. successful Jatropha-based biofuel crop in Malaysia. These included questions such as - Is Jatropha really a high margin source for bio-diesel?; How does it compare with palm oil prices, process, economics and quality?; How sustainable are the revenue models for Jatropha-based projects?; Is the region By Aweng Eh Rak geared for large scale plantation ventures?; Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) When will Jatropha oil or methyl ester be has started a good move towards preavailable in large quantities for trading? paring students to be enrolled in the main degree programme offered by the These, undoubtedly, are some thought prouniversity for the next intake in July voking issues that will have to be addressed 2009. On 3 January 2009 a total 31 of before one venture into commercial scale students selected from the Program production of this ubiquitous plant. Until Wawasan UMK-KPM-KPTM held then more studies are being conducted to earlier from 15 to 22 December 2008 gauge their full potential in this country. registered for the one-semester PreArticle contributed by Ahmad Anwar Ismail Science preparatory programme. The students are from the states of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), viz. Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and PROMOTION OF UMKS COURSES AND PROJohor comprising 18 male and 13 feGRAMMES AT KOLEJ POLITEKNIK MARA male students. The students are each Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Che Omar was at MARA paid an allowance of RM 150.00 per month for their stay on the campus for the duration of six months Polytechnic College (KPTM) at Kota they would be here. Bharu on 10 February 2009 for the purpose of introducing FASA and promote its variIn the first two months (January & February), they are taught English Language I, Japanese Language I, ous courses and programmes to staff and students of the college. The briefing delivBasic Management and Co-Curriculum I followed by the next two months in March and April with ered by the Dean was on the overall objeccourses on English Language II, Japanese Language II, Basic Management, Basic Entrepreneurial and tive of the establishment of the faculty to Co-Curriculum I. During the last two months (May and June), they will be exposed to English for Sciexplore, develop and expand knowledge in ences, Japanese Language III, Basic Entrepreneurial and Co-Curriculum II. For the one full semester the fields of sciences of natural resources management, science through learning, they would have covered in all 5 core subjects. teaching and high quality research, integrat- Those students who obtained a full certificate from their 2008 STPM Examination will be offered a ing information and communication techplace for their degree programme in UMK. nology. Undoubtedly he was there to also sell the various academic courses offered by the Faculty and the degrees that will be A pep talk and dialogue session between the Dean and the students was held on 23 February 2009. The awarded after a 4 yr study at UMK. He also purpose was to gauge how the students were fairing in their studies, find out about their welfare and informed that the university will also be those problems related to their course and stay on the campus. The students were also advised to give introducing several new courses to be offered for the next academic year beginning full attention to their studies and not to assume their six month stint here as a honeymoon period. He July 2009. also encouraged all of them, those that get through with their STPM Exam, to continue for their degree program at UMK this coming academic year and those who are not fortunate enough should consider P A G E 2 the six months they spent here as training ground for them to venture into something productive in the outside world.

PRE-SCIENCE PREPARATORY PROGRAMME

INSIDE FASA
Willkommen an Bord ! NEW STAFF

Prof Dr. Mudjtahid Ahmad Djojosugito Designation: Visiting Professor (Animal Anatomy & Physiology) Reported for Duty: 01 February 2009

En. Zulhazman Hamzah Designation: Senior Lecturer Reported for Duty: 01 January 2009 Field of Studies: Forest Management, Remote Sensing/GIS

Academic Events
Status of Name of Staff
Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Che Omar

Title of Conference / Seminar

Briefing for Pre-Science Students at UMK Talk on AUKU by KPT

Date 03 January 2009

07 January 2009

Venue
UMK

Participation
Speaker

Renaissance Hotel, Kota Bharu Participant Hotel Marriot, Putrajaya Participant

Ministerial Leadership Lecture Program Build- 30 January 2009 ing Human Capital Development for the Future: Catalyst for Economic Development by AKEPT, KPT Mesy JKuasa Pendidikan Tinggi (JKPT) 03 February 2009 Taklimat Program Pengajian UMK oleh KPT Brainstorming on Kenaf (LTKN) Hari Informasi MAPCU 2009 16 February 2009 17 February 26 February 2009

Jabatan Pengajian Tinggi, Putrajaya Canselori, UMK

Participant Participant

Renaissance Hotel, Kota Bharu Panel Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang, Penang Bukit Kluang Beach Resort, Besut, Terengganu Speaker

Dr. Hishamudin Rahmat Bengkel Pemurnian Peraturan Akademik UMK 2830 January 2009

Participant

Dr. Noor Azlina Ibrahim Mesyuarat Ke 20 Majlis Dekan Pengajian Siswazah IPTA Kursus Induksi Umum Mesyuarat Khas Lembaga Pengarah Universiti

0911 January 2009

Rumah Universiti, UNIMAS, Participant Sarawak Kampus Kesihatan USM, Kubang Kerian Participant Participant

1822 January 2009

31 January01 February PNB Darby Park Hotel, KL 2009 Universiti Malaya, K. L.

Cik Marinah Muhammad Aweng a/l Eh Rak

Artificial Intelligence with Neural Networks and 1112 February 2009 Fuzzy Logic Mesyuarat Pembentangan Kajian Environmental 19 January 2009 Impact Assessment (EIA) Bagi Pembinaan Universiti Malaysia Kelantan Kampus Jeli

Participant

Cawangan Alam Sekitar & Participant Kecekapan Tenaga, Ibupejabat JKR, K. Lumpur.
P A G E 3

RAFFLESIA OF LOJING HIGHLANDS: CALL FOR CONSERVATION!

The Rafflesia is truly an awesome flower! It is the most magnificent and largest flowers in the world. In Southeast Asia, it is rapidly becoming an icon for tourism attraction and prominent symbol for nature conservation.

Developing bud of Rafflesia kerrii waiting to bloom!

Simultaneously blooming in Lojing! It is very rare to find three or more Rafflesia flowers in bloom next to each other.

Presently, a total of eight Rafflesia species are found in Malaysia. They are R. cantleyi, R. kerrii, R. hasselttii, R. azlanii, R. tengku-adlinii, R. pricei, R. keithii and R. tuan-mudae. Two of them occur in the State of Kelantan; R. cantleyi and R. kerrii. In Kelantan, the distributions of R. cantleyi are restricted to a few areas such as Kuala Koh National Park. However, the distributions of R. kerrii are widely distributed throughout the Main Range of the Kelantan State. The latest findings of Rafflesia in Kelantan were discovered during the Lojing Highlands Scientific Expedition 2008. The expedition was co-organized by Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, South Kelantan Development Authority (KESEDAR) and Kelantan State Forestry Department. Rafflesia populations found in Lojing is from the species of R. kerrii. A total of 26 populations of R. kerrii have been noted in three different sites; Kg. Cedau, Kg. Kuala Rengi and Kg. Gedik. Therefore, Lojing is believed to be among the highest R. kerrii populations found in Malaysia.

The highest populations of R. kerrii species were found in the private land near Kg. Gedik, Post Brooke. A total of 20 populations have been identified. An average of ten to 15 buds or flowers are counted in each population. This area is the most popular destination among tourists in Lojing Highlands. An average of two vans or ten to 15 international tourists mostly from Cameron Highlands was noted to make a stopover to this area on daily basis. Several habitats of Rafflesia have been badly damaged due to uncontrolled trampling by tourists.

The most densely area where R. kerrii buds was found near to Compartment 53 of Sg. Berok F.R. There are six populations located close to one another, where an average of 15 to 20 buds were noted in each hotspot.

Currently, there are no proper management planning and specific guidelines on how to conserve the Rafflesia in the Lojing Highlands. During the expedition, it was found that most of the Rafflesia areas visited are located outside the protected area or forest reserve. Observations on the field showed that several habitats of Rafflesia are seriously disturbed due to improper planning on tourist traffic and other less healthy human activities. Universiti Malaysia Kelantan took the initial step to conserve this area by organizing the Lojing Highlands Scientific Expedition in May 2008. The findings from the expedition were presented at a Seminar in December 2008 in Kota Bharu. One of the proposals arising from the panel discussion is the urgent need to gazette an area of 500 ha in Lojing as the Centre for Research and Conservation of Rafflesia. This proposal are in the process of being submitted to the State Government of Kelantan and other relevant agencies for further deliberations. It is hoped that something concrete will emerge from this solemn endeavour as we all have a stake to play in ensuring that Rafflesia remained with us in Lojing for the benefit of our future generation.

Kg. Gedik, Post Brooke is the most popular and accessible hotspot to see Rafflesia in the Lojing Highlands - improper tourism planning and congested with visitors.

At present, a total of four tourist operators based at Cameron Highlands is aggressively promoting Rafflesia at Lojing as one of their main tourism activity. They claimed through their published pamphlets that the Rafflesia found in Lojing are those of Rafflesia of Cameron Highlands without giving due acknowledgment to Lojing.

P A G E

KNOWLEDGE ENRICHMENT TALKS

WHATS BEYOND THE RAINBOW?
By Nik Raihan Nik Yusoff

PHOTO DETECTOR
By Mohd Zaki Mohd Yusoff
The second talk had En. Mohd Zaki, another newly recruited tutor, making his maiden presentation on Photo Detector on 22 January 2009. He started off with the definition of what photo detector was all about and this was followed by types of photo detectors, principle of operation, and the material components involved. Their applications in our daily lives were also touched upon. Sadly there was a small number of attendees especially students as many of them were on their way back to their hometowns or were making plans to go back for mid-term semester break.

Puan Nik Raihan, the senior most tutor with FASA kicked off on 8 January, the first in a series of talks aimed at encouraging academic staff to share with faculty members and students scientific knowledge of some interest under what is dubbed as the Knowledge Enrichment Programe (Program Pembudayaan Ilmu). This is a weekly 1 hour event and is held every Thursday at noon. The first talk was a presentation on Whats Beyond the Rainbow. She gave an overview by reminding the audience that light is a form of electromagnetic radiation. The rainbow of colors from red to violet is the spread of different wavelengths that makes up visible light. Of course, there is more to the story as she went on to dwell on the theory part of it which was actually hard science. All forms of electromagnetic radiation (radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x rays) are really the same basic physical phenomenon: They are waves of electric and magnetic fields. But they behave very differently. There are two big differences between different parts of the spectrum: Wavelength and energy. The red end of the rainbow corresponds to long wavelength and low energy; the violet end of the spectrum, short wavelength and high energy. And the electromagnetic spectrum beyond the rainbow is even more extreme. Beyond the violet is the range of very high energy. The photons of ultraviolet light are so energetic that they can damage cells. X rays are even worse, of course; thats why you need to limit exposure. Beyond the red is a much mellower place. The photons of infrared are so wimpy that they can only warm you up. Radio waves are so weak that they can actually go right through you. We usually noticed the sequence of colors in a rainbow without realizing that the variety of colors can be obtained from the mixing of 3 primary colors which are red, blue and yellow. Surprisingly when we write the color sequence in a clockwise circle a color wheel is created that can be used for teaching the proper techniques of mixing colors. As we are all aware, color is one of the most important elements in art thus, whenever a colorful rainbow is seen in the sky we should also give some thought not only to the physics of it but also its art form. The rainbow colors could be taken a step further and use them as a guide for our daily meal. Food items of various colors could be eaten as they may contain a variety of nutrients and the darker the colors the more nourishing it could be. This idea of colors in food items can be used to attract children to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables.

IONIZING RADIATION AND LIVING THINGS

On 5 February, Ms Asanah , one other tutor from the Faculty spoke on Ionizing Radiation and Living Things. According to her, human beings live in a sea of radiation and in recent years people have learned to fear the effects of radiation. They don't want to live near nuclear reactors. They are afraid of the leakage from microwave ovens, or the radiation produced by their television sets. To understand the biological effects of radiation we must first understand the difference between ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is radiation with enough energy so that during an interaction with an atom, it can remove tightly bound electrons from the orbit of an atom, causing the atom to become charged or ionized. Forms of ionizing radiation include: Gamma rays, X rays, Alpha particles, Beta particles, Neutrons. Radiation exposures come from many sources. Natural background radiation also contributes to the radiation exposure. Examples of natural background radiation are Radon (natural Internal Exposure), medical exposure, earth gamma radiation (Natural external radiation), cosmic rays, food/water and others (all man-made sources). Ionizing radiation is dangerous. A dose of only 300 joules of x-ray or -ray radiation is fatal for the average human, even though this radiation raises the temperature of the body by only 0.001C. -particle radiation is even more dangerous; a dose equivalent to only 15 joules is fatal for the average human.

WORKSHOP
Workshop on Syllabus Preparation for Upcoming Programmes
A one-day workshop on the preparation for new syllabi required by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) took place on 08 February 2009 at the Meeting Room of the Chancellory. The workshop which was attended by all the Deans and those lecturers identified to prepare their respective syllabus focused on the inclusion of the learning outcomes and the generic skills students are expected to acquire at the end of the course or programme. The workshop chaired by Deputy Vice Chancellor ( Academic and International Affairs) was conducted by Associate Professor Dr. Wahid from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn (UTHM). As for FASA the syllabi for four programmes which are to be offered for the next academic year beginning July 2009, viz. Sustainable Science, Geo-science, Product Development Technology and Veterinary Science were duly completed for submission to MOHE for scrutiny and approval before these courses could be offered next semester. P A G E 5

DEAN LIST CEREMONY 2008/2009

By Mohd Zaki Mohd Yusof On 15 January 2009, the Faculty organized a presentation ceremony to students who qualified for the dean list award, i.e. those who obtained a CGPA 3.5 and above. There were 18 students from year 1 and year 2 who qualified. The brief ceremony at Lecture Hall 3 & 4 was officiated by the Dean, Prof.Dr. Ibrahim Che Omar himself at 12.00 noon with full attendance from academic staff and students. The recipients of the dean lists were , Nor Faziela Dorman (3.50); Nur Izzati Salleh (3.73); Sharifah Aisyah Syed Omar (3.74) and Wong Hie Ling (3.77) from the Applied Sciences Natural Resources (SBN) programme. From the Applied Sciences Bio-Industry (SBT), four students made it and they were Alex Chew Sheng Hsien (3.63); Chew Ting Ann (4.00); Kumeraintharen a/l Murugiah (3.65) and Liew Siew Hui (3.67). The recipients from the the Applied Sciences Animal Husbandry Science (SBH) programme were Ranjani Muniandy (3.72), Siti Zubaidah Hamzah (3.52); Daniel Anak Gello (3.65) and Lee Lam Hong (3.51). The last group of recipients were those from Agro Technology Entrepreneurship (SBS) programme, viz., Lim Jin Hui (3.94); Hiew Yeap Seng (3.56); Leong Hong Yeng (3.55); Pang Shene Ru (3.61); Yap Ee Ting (3.79) and Fan Li Ying (3.62). In a short speech before the presentation, the Dean extolled them to continue to excel in their studies and at the same time encouraged those that have yet to get into the deans list to improve their academic performance and follow the footsteps of those that have achieved excellence as their role models.

DEANS MEETING WITH STUDENTS

By Muhammad Arif bin Din (SBH) A full scale meeting between the Dean, and the facultys students were held on 15th of January 2009, a tradition put into practice at the beginning of every semester. This event is considered important as the students are given an opportunity to make suggestions, ask questions and seek further information on academic matters with staff members. The meeting began with a rather long speech from the Dean which is packed with some good advice and encouragement for students to give full attention to their studies and also participate in all co-curricular activities organized by the University, particularly those organized by FASA. The Dean made special mention of a new batch of 31 students who is currently undergoing a six-month stint under the Pre-Science Preparatory Programme. He welcomed them as the latest addition of members to Kelab FASA. He mentioned that these students will be the pioneer for a new course that will be offered by UMK for the coming academic year. He also touched at great length about the facultys long-term plans encompassing academic programmes, staff development and intake, classroom and laboratory facilities and the permanent site in Jeli where the faculty will eventually be located. Prof. Ibrahim also dwelt on how the students ought to study and spend their time fruitfully while they are here for four years. University life is something that not many people is given the opportunity to go through and therefore he reminded the students to make best use of their 4-year stay here so that when they leave at the end of their studies they would have not missed all the experiences, pleasant or otherwise, that they go through. In short he was telling the students that learning should be done the smart way so that it becomes enjoyable rather than a drag. The faculty do not want to produce graduates who are zombies, indifferent and self-centred but rather quality and knowledgeable graduates who are able to contribute to society and the nation at large. He wished all the new students a happy stay in the campus and to contribute meaningfully to the facultys activities and programmes that are designed for their benefit. A question and answer session followed at the end of the meeting and packed lunch was served soon after that. P A G E 6

SOIL SURVEY PRACTICAL

(FIELD TRIP TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE)
By Rozidaini Mohd Ghazi
On 19th January 2009, Faculty of Agro-Industry and Natural Resources (FASA) organized a field trip to the Department of Agriculture at Lundang, in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The main objective of this trip was to allow the second year students taking the Soil Science Course (BPT2093) a better understanding on how soil survey and soil sampling is carried out and how soil mapping is documented. Students were given briefings on the scope and work of the Soil Science Unit. This was followed with field demonstrations on proper soil sampling methods using the auger and other tools and how identification of the physical characteristics is made. Students were also given hands-on training on how to carry out sampling and use colour charts to identify soil types. The guidance and assistance of Mr. Affandi bin Yusoff, Penolong Pegawai Pertanian Catatan Tanah was most helpful in this respect. Briefly, soil survey is the process of classifying soil types and other soil properties in a given area and geoencoding such information. The objective of soil survey is none other but to collect all relevant information on soil in a given area. These information are then compile and kept as inventory on soil properties in one particular area. According to Mr. Affandi, there are generally three steps when carrying out a soil survey, i.e. (i) preparatory work in the office, (ii) making a field trip to a designated area, and (iii) preparation for mapping. Usually before taking any soil sample, one must ensure there is no disturbance in that area that is to be studied to ensure quality soil information is obtained. One has to be equipped for field work with tools and equipments such as compasses, GPS, clinometers, Munshell book and the soil auger. A compass is essential to locate the area to be surveyed, clinometers is useful to obtain the gradient of the slope in that area. The soil auger, this can be of different sizes, is needed to penetrate and lift the soil while Munshell Book is required for soil classification. With respect to soil mapping, the students were given a talk by personnel from the Mapping Unit. A few slides and maps were shown followed by question and answer sessions. From the trip the students came off quite well versed with what soil sampling, survey and mapping was all about.

MOVING ON

Dr Hishamudin Rahmat, who was with us since June 2008, has left for AIMST University in Sungai Petani, Kedah. Over the nine months he was here, as the Coordinator for Bio-industry Technology Programme, he was instrumental in assisting and developing the course for the Product Technology Development Programme for the Faculty a new Bachelor of Applied Science Honours Degree Course which will be offered next academic year. He was responsible for giving a new and refreshing look to Infolink FASAs bimonthly newsletter as the Editor and has also assisted in many ways with academic development and some co-curicullar activities of the Faculty. We wish him well in his new found job.

A VISIT TO THE SOIL LABORATORY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Ean Wee Chen
On 16th February 2009, all SBS 2 students taking the Soil Science subject BPT 2093 had the opportunity to visit and conduct and run soil analysis at the Department of Agriculture Soil Laboratory in Lundang, Kota Bharu. Whilst there the students were led to the meeting room and were given a short briefing by Pn Zamilah Seman, from the soil analysis department. Three groups were formed as the laboratory was not able to handle all 44 students at one go. We were taken to the corridor to see the preparation of the soil sample. The process is not allowed to be done in the laboratory itself as fine soil could easily damage some sensitive equipments. We were told that soil preparation is usually done at the soil store. Soil samples, usually taken from designated agriculture areas in bulk of about 1 to 2 kg depending on the soil types gathered. The sample are dried in the oven at 105C or in some instances is dried under direct sunlight for 3 days. After drying, the large aggregates obtained are reduced in size by pounding using the hardened steel mortar. The hardened steel mortar is used instead of soil grinder to avoid the grinding process producing very fine particles. In other words, what is required for analysis are soils of their characteristic sizes and what the foregoing process does was just to destroy the forces between the soil molecules and not to destroy the molecules themselves. The prepared soil is then sieved to coarse soil which is 30 mesh (2mm) and to fine soil which is 60 mesh (0.25mm). The aim of sieving the soil sample is to ensure more accurate results are obtained when conducting the soil analysis.

DEMONSTRATIONS OF HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY (HPLC) EQUIPMENT

Three laboratory equipment suppliers short-listed namely DKSH, Asas Kimia and Lanjut Pertiwi gave a demonstration of their HPLC product separately to FASA on 12 February 2009. The purpose of the demonstrations was to introduce their latest product on HPLC which can be used for teaching and research. The Dean and the relevant teaching staff were present to evaluate the HPLC equipment on offer viz. Vavian model demonstrated by DKSH, Bionex by Asas Kimia and Shimadzu by Lanjut Pertiwi. HPLC is a form of column chromatography used frequently in biochemistry and analytical chemistry to separate, identify, and quantify compounds.

P A G E

ONE DAY WITH ADI PUTRA

Adi Putra the touted mathematical genius largest Malaysia is the 26 aged 10 yrs old and declared an icon formarket for by agricultural export mathematics the the Department of Mathematics, Universiti Putra US. In 2005, about auspices of ECERMalaysia was invited under the$422 million of KPT-UMK Center of Excellenceand forestry to give a talk and show agriculture, Students from 20 primary off his prowess. fish products were exported to from and secondary schools (and their parents) Malayaround Pengkalanmillionwere it wastoUS show sia. $36 Chepa of invited the soyon February 28 at Sekolah Menengah Pengkalan bean and corn shipments, which Chepa 1. The 3-hr programme chaired by Assoc Prof Dr Farokisms (GMOs). GMO means of the boy Zakaria included an introduction animals, genius, solving of some mathematical andformuplants, microorganisms and their lae problems and followed by question and anth

CONGRATULATION
cluding agriculture product. On April 28, 2005, the prime Minister of Malaysia launched the new National Biotechnology policy. The National Biotechnology was re-emphasized in the Ninth Malaysian Plan launched on March 13, 2006. The Ninth Malaysian Plan and the National Biotechnology Policy which aims to promote agrobiotechnology as an important tool to propel the agriculture sector into the frontline of Malaysias economy. Under the Ninth Malaysian Plan (2006-2010),

Announcement

contain genetically modified organ-

STUDENTS NEWS
SEMINAR ON REVIEWING World Dwelling Into the OF AUKU (UNIVERSITY AND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE ACT)
Kamarul Aripin b. Kasmori (Translated and edited by William Ng)

products whose genetic material has been altered using biotechnology technique (genetic engineering) in-

government of Malaysia allocated Training Course On USD550 for biotechnology development including Vermiculture agrobiotechnology (Raymond, 2006). Agrobiotechnology refers Universiti Malaysia Kelantan to a group of technologies using properties 28 May 2009 27 - of living organisms for production of goods and Secretariat services in agriculture related activiTraining Course on Vermiculture Faculty of GMOs, transgenic ties. Beside theAgro Industry and Natural Recrops, sources, UMK crops produced via tissue culture Dr Ahmad Anwar Ismail: 09-771 7234 and other products an inMs by : 09-771 and volvement Raihanfarmers 7235 other companies called as agrobiotechnology products.

of The Unfortunates

SIMPOSIUM KEBANGSAAN KEUSAHAWANAN ECER 2009

By Nur Eastiharah Mohd Hairin
1516 June 2009 Secretariat
Pusat Kecermelangan ECER - KPT UMK, Fakulti Agro Industri dan Sumber Asli Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
En. Mohd Badrul Hisyam Muhamad Alias Tel: 09-7717245 E-mail: hisyam@umk.edu.my En. Zulhazman Hamzah Tel: 09-7717246 E-Mail: zulhazman@umk.edu.my

The seminar at the Renaissance Hotel, 24 Yussof 2009 Nik Raihan Nik January& Mohd Faizal YaKota Bharu held to inform the undergraduates hya about the review being made of the University and University College Act 1971. This seminar initiated by the Ministry of Higher Education involved student representatives from 4 institutes of higher learning, namely UMP, UMT, UDM and last but not least, our own UMK. The Faculty sent 9 representatives comprising students from the first and second year. The objective of the seminar was to review the previous Act as well as implementing new laws and regulations to suit changing times and the demands of ever increasing undergraduate population. According to the faculty representatives the talk was informative and was an eye-opener . They are now better informed regarding the Act. At the seminar, the students were given the opportunity to ask questions on any clause or regulations that were now irrelevant and should be removed. The student representatives came back very much enlightened as they felt that their contributions were duly acknowledged and that they also have a role to play in the present review of the 1971Act.

Postgraduate Studies at UMK

The Faculty of Agro Industry and Natural Resources offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy programmes via research mode to qualified prospective students. For more information, please contact the Faculty office at 09-7717226. Graduate Assistantships are available to qualified applicants.

STUDENTS SPORT TOUNAMENT

Kamarul Aripin b. Kasmori (Translated and edited by William Ng)
On the 6th - 12th of February 2009, UMK organized an inter-faculty sports event. Six games were opened for competition, and our faculty sent some of our finest athletes and sportsmen to compete. For the netball competition, FASA sent 2 teams, but neither team A nor team B won any medal. The top spots were taken by team B of FTKW and FKP Team A. For badminton and bowling, FASA also sent 2 teams to compete, in which they achieved quite a good standing. FASA Team A took second place in badminton and bowling for the mens event and the ladies for Team A took the gold in badminton. Our faculty also sent a team each for netball, sepak takraw, volleyball and futsal (both ladies and mens team) competitions but failed to bring home any medal. Throughout KRISMA 2009, new sporting talents were discovered while for some, they are the best at what they did. But at the end of the day, all athletes, be it from our faculty or not, showed the true spirit of sportsmanship. There are no hard feelings or animosity between the competing athletes even though they have lost in some of the competition. Overall, the athletes from FASA did quite well; but it is hoped that at the next KRISMA the athletes would bring more honour to the faculty by reaping in more medals.

Editorial Board Members Advisor Prof Dr. Hj. Ibrahim Che Omar Members Aweng Eh Rak (Chief Editor) Dr. Ahmad Anwar Ismail Dr. Hishamudin Rahmat Zulhazman Hamzah Asanah Radhi Rozidaini Mohd Ghazi Suhaimi Omar

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Faculty Agro Industry and Natural Resources, UMK invites suitable candidates for the post of Tutor (DA41), Lecturers (DS45), Senior Lecturers (DS51), Associate Professors (DS54) and Professors (VK7) Interested candidates please write to: Dean, Faculty of Agro Industry & Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Locked Bag 36, 16100 Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. or e-mail to Ibrahim@umk.edu.my
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Editor FASA INFOLINK Faculty of Agro Industry and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan Locked Bag 36 16100 Pengkalan Chepa Kelantan, Malaysia