BANDAR BARU SUNGAI LONG, 25 July 2024 — The Malaysian Research on Ageing (MyAgeingTM) at UPM is spearheading efforts to create an age-friendly environment via innovative research, pilot projects, and resilient community development strategies.

In the first phase of this pilot community programme on elderly-friendly agriculture, MyAgeingTM works with the Faculty of Educational Studies (FPP) and PUTRA Agriculture Centre (PPP) to gauge the agriculture practices tailored to the specific needs of older persons.

SMK Bandar Baru Sg Long is engaged for having the expertise in teaching agriculture education and subsequently to explore agriculture education in a multigenerational setting. The program at SMK Bandar Baru Sg Long was attended by members of the Agricultural Education committee, UPM undergraduates from the Faculty of Education who are currently completing their teaching and training internships, school students, and teachers approaching retirement.

SMK Bandar Baru Sg Long is one of the pioneering secondary schools in Malaysia specializing in agriculture, with a teaching staff recognized as experts in the field at the national level. The school is also known for its active engagement in agricultural innovation and collaborative programs.

Positioning MyAgeing in the Food Security Nexus in UPM

MyAgeingTM, previously known as the Institute of Gerontology, is at the forefront of innovative research and translational efforts in research on ageing that is built on more than two decades of research experience.

In her speech, the Director of MyAgeingTM, Associate Profesor Dr. Rahimah Ibrahim, mentioned that the institute aspires to be a critical player in the Nexus on Food Security through optimizing the functional capacity of older persons and creating an enabling environment that supports their active participation. This includes developing an age-friendly agriculture sector, enhancing food security for older people, and building the capacity of local communities, especially in the areas that are ageing or highly populated with older people.

Dr. Normala Ismail of the Faculty of Educational Studies at UPM and her students who are undertaking teaching practicum in the school held a session on extension and adult learning. The demonstration on the modified gardening technique was conducted by Wan Suhana Wan Talib and her team from Putra Agriculture Centre.

With such collaboration, UPM is poised for more innovative research into the unique needs of older growers and ensuring their active participation in meaningful farming activities, whether for leisure or income generation.

Date of Input: 02/09/2024 | lizamdnor