Synbion and United Agarwood Planters, Inc. seal agreement to develop the Agarwood industry with new discovery products

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 September 2024 – UMPSA Holdings Sdn. Bhd.’s spin-off company, Synbion, and United Agarwood Planters, Inc. (UAP), based in the Philippines, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to enhance their collaboration in the agarwood (agaru) industry using scientifically based new discovery products.

UMPSA Holdings Group is a subsidiary of Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA).

Synbion will supply UAP with OUDIno, a natural material-based inoculant using effective microbial technology for agarwood trees. 

This will help produce high-quality agarwood chips, supported by the facilities and expertise of Iba Botanicals Inc. (IBI), the parent company of UAP.

During the event, the Minister of Higher Education, Dato' Seri DiRaja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir, was present to witness the MoA exchange between Synbion’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Syed Alwi Mohamed Sultan, and the Chief Executive Officer of Iba Botanicals Inc., Mr. Benjamin Mead.

Also present were the Director General of Higher Education, Dato' Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman; Chairman of UMPSA Holdings Sdn. Bhd., Dato' Sri Dr. Salehuddin Ishak; UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin; and the Director-General of Polytechnic and Community College Education Department (JPPKK), Dato' Dr. Haji Mohd Zahari Ismail.

The ceremony took place in conjunction with the 2nd Conference ‘Rethinking the Future of Sustainability’ (ReTHINK 2024).

The two-day conference, which began on September 11, focused on discussions and presentations related to sustainability issues for the future, featuring authoritative and influential panellists.

The conference, themed 'Emerging Trends in Smart Agriculture and Plantations,' highlighted the latest developments in smart agriculture and plantation industries. 

Experts from leading industry and academic institutions discussed issues related to food security, smart agriculture, and technological innovations aimed at boosting competitiveness and sustainability.

By: Naqiah Puaad, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre (UMPSACC)