MUKAH: The Palm and Agriculture Academy as well as Oil and Gas Academy have been established at the newly completed Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (Centexs) Mukah at KM7, Jalan Mukah-Oya here.
Centexs chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, said it (Centexs) aimed to spearhead precision agriculture training and testbeds in Sarawak.
He added the idea was not to duplicate what others were already doing, but rather to enhance and compliment the training with technology so that the industry could achieve better efficiency and yield in these industries.
“In this regard, the Palm and Agriculture Academy is established in Centexs Mukah, initially offering training programmes such as Certificate in Plantation Management, collaborating with Incorporated Society of Planters (ISP),” he said at the launch of Centexs Mukah here on Saturday (Aug 28).
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated at the launching ceremony. He also launched the Oil and Gas Academy as well as Palm and Agriculture Academy at Centexs Mukah.
Mohamad Morshidi said another strategic partner in the Palm and Agriculture Academy, International Institute of Plantation Management (IIPM) offered programmes in Professional Diploma in Plantation Management, Industry Management, Oil Palm & Sago Harvesting Skills Course and Plantation Workers Skills Course.
According to him, the main objective of these training programmes is to equip students with the essential knowledge and skills especially in technology, including in areas of planting and harvesting.
He explained that with the competency gained by attending the programmes, the students would have a better accepted career prospect in plantation industry or any related agriculture industry.
Mohamad Morshidi revealed that to support the state development strategies under the 12th Malaysia Plan, whereby commercial agriculture and commodities have been identified as one of the economic sectors, Centexs Mukah would be offering training in smart agriculture or precision farming, and precision agriculture testbeds would be set up.
For the Oil and Gas Academy, he said both upstream and downstream training programmes are offered, and done in partnership with a new partner NExt, a division of Schlumberger, the world’s No. 1 company in oil field services.
