New Phase of the Industry-Academia Collaboration between CJCU Taiwan and SOPB Malaysia
Chang Jung Christian University (CJCU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sarawak Oil Palms Berhad (SOPB) via a video conference on the 11th of August, 2020, agreeing to work together on optimizing the smart management systems to manage oil palms via unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and to control rodent pests. This consensus was formed after the visit of Tan Sri Ling Chiong Ho, Chairman of SOPB and Shin Yang Groups of Companies, Malaysia, to CJCU in 2019.
Tan Sri Ling Chiong Ho indicated that the collaboration with CJCU will carry out the improvement and open up the opportunity for advancement of SOPB’s oil palm business. He also mentioned that the vanilla business is another area of interest for the collaboration of both sides, and expressed the hope to develop closer partnership with CJCU. The two parties can achieve a win-win situation through mutual benefit and resource sharing.
Dr Yung-Lung Lee, President of CJCU, pointed out that this MOU will start a new phase of the collaboration, including the rising prospect of the development of vanilla. With the advantages of CJCU’s UAV Center, an important R&D base in Taiwan, and the incorporation of the resources from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), it is anticipated that a new vision of development will come to light in Malaysia.
Dr Chin-E Lin, Director of CJCU UAV Center, said that the Center has already conducted preliminary tests at banana fields in Pingtung, Taiwan. For the detection of oil palm diseases, however, they will require Shin Yang’s expertise to construct a specialized image and plant ecology recognition system. The Center will work with SOPB to conduct extensive research and projects. As for pest control, the Center has developed preliminary plans, but the introduction of any technology requires a long period of observation and test. Only continuous efforts from both sides and the long-term working together can create new value for this industry-academia collaboration.
