Malaysia Campus and AAR collaborate in new research centre

The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (Malaysia Campus) and Applied Agricultural Resources Sdn Bhd (AAR), an internationally recognised premier centre in plantation crop research and development, will collaborate in a new research centre in Semenyih, Selangor.

Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony for the research centre on 5 February 2007, Dr Soh Aik Chin, Head of Agricultural Research, AAR said “The decision to locate the research centre at an adjacent lot to the Malaysia Campus is to enable us to leverage on the resources and facilities available at the School of Biosciences at the Malaysia Campus. We are pleased to be able to collaborate with an internationally acclaimed centre of excellence for teaching and fundamental research.”

The centre’s initial emphasis will be on oil palm research, with a focus in the area of oil palm genetic improvements through modern molecular techniques. Among the areas being explored include the use of DNA to detect illegitimate crosses, tissue culture mix-ups and other identity-related issues. DNA finger printing technology will be utilised to authenticate the in-house breeds and clones for intellectual property rights.

The groundbreaking ceremony was witnessed by the Honourable Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, United Kingdom.