KUCHING: Riam Institute of Technology (Riamtec) and Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (SOPPOA) collaborate on oil palm plantation management courses after having a meeting last Wednesday.
In a statement, it stated that Riamtec has undertaken oil palm plantation management courses which will be offered to SOPPOA members.
SOPPOA’s Chairman, Eric Kiu explained that the oil palm plantation industry in Sarawak has existed for more than 50 years and that Sarawak has the largest area planted with oil palm, namely a total of 1.6 million hectares.
‘’Over the years, the growers have had the opportunity to learn and gain knowledge on establishing and managing the oil palm plantation here which is very different compared to other states in terms of topography, type of soils and weather to name a few,” Kiu said in a statement.
He agreed that it is high time to work with an educational institute like Riamtec which is responsible for systematic transmission of knowledge, skills and cultural values within the context of Sarawak oil palm plantation industry.
Elaborating further, he also suggested that SOPPOA members could assist and facilitate in course designing, module structuring and setting suitable parameters for the syllabus.
Riam’s joint chairman Datuk Seri Law Kiu Kiong is confident that oil palm plantations in Sarawak will benefit greatly from this programme.
He also emphasised that knowledge-based plantation management is very crucial to ensure the continuity of this industry in facing the challenges ahead.
Additionally, he also stressed that oil palm plantation employers have the responsibility in upscaling the knowledge and skills of their staff and workers through proper educational channels.
‘’I believe one way to attract more youngsters to participate in this industry is through education.
‘’I praise the current SOPPOA Chairman, Eric Kiu, for his far-sightedness and willingness to take up the responsibility to establish an educational platform for the oil palm plantation industry in Sarawak, he said.
In view of the progress of the planning, SOPPOA-Riamtec partnership anticipates the first intake to be held by January next year.
There are two categories of courses, namely certificate and diploma in oil palm plantation management which are suitable for both school leavers and working adults.
