By: Noor Eszereen Juferi
Photo by: Noor Azreen Awang
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 29 – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) organised the 11th edition of its biennial Industry and Community Appreciation Night (ICAN 2025) to celebrate the contributions of industry partners, communities and members of the university in 2023 and 2024.
The event served as a platform to strengthen UPM’s strategic partnerships while motivating the campus community to excel in industry and community engagement initiatives.
UPM Vice-Chancellor, Dato’ Prof. Ir. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, said the collaborations established between the university, industry and society extend beyond the campus and create meaningful impact for national development.
“This is more than recognition. It reflects UPM’s role as a ‘Tower of Knowledge’ — a role that transcends university boundaries, allowing its benefits to be shared with society,” he said.
He added that UPM’s Centre for Industry Relations and Networks (CiRNeT) and the University Community Transformation Centre (UCTC) play crucial roles in bridging the university with society, including addressing national issues such as food security through academia-industry-community synergy.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Relations), Prof. Dr. B.T. Hang Tuah Baharudin, highlighted that university partnerships with external stakeholders create valuable opportunities for students to gain industry experience and enhance graduates’ competitiveness.
“These collaborations reinforce UPM’s position as a highly reputable institution,” he said.
The ceremony also witnessed the launch of PutraExpert, a smart search platform that consolidates profiles of UPM’s academic experts by field, achievements and contact details. The system is designed to make it easier for industries, government agencies, NGOs, and research communities to connect with UPM experts for consultancy, research collaborations and community development.
In addition, UPM introduced the JINM Newsletter as the official communication channel for industry and community engagement updates, as well as to promote the services offered by the Industry and Community Relations portfolio.
ICAN 2025 honoured outstanding faculties, institutes, centres, colleges, industry partners and community collaborators. Special awards were presented to student projects, academic and non-academic staff, industry partners and community groups that achieved four to five-star ratings for high-impact, sustainable initiatives that empower society.
Nor Azizah Mahamud, Assistant Landscape Architect at Pasir Gudang City Council, said the recognition was highly encouraging for the local communities.
“UPM has been helping us since 2014 through agricultural classes with university experts. I hope this recognition continues, as it strengthens community participation,” she said.
Hassim Mohamad Isa, Managing Director of Elite Scientific Instruments Sdn. Bhd., commended UPM’s efforts in building strong university-industry collaborations.
“Community and industry involvement are vital in delivering benefits to society. I hope more industry players will join UPM in contributing to initiatives for the greater good,” he said.
The event also introduced the CEO@PTJ initiative, which brings chief executive officers and industry leaders — both local and international — to UPM to share experiences, best practices and mentorship with the campus community.
Operating in every faculty under the CEO@UPM banner, the programme aims to deepen academia-industry integration, enhance graduate employability and widen career pathways. UPM alumni are given priority to take on these roles, with appointments lasting at least one year.
