UniMAP Becomes First Malaysian Uni To Conduct Research On Cannabis Plant Cultivation

Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) is taking steps to become the first Malaysian public university in the country to conduct research on hemp, or Cannabis sativa, as an agricultural product that has the potential to be developed.

Realising the effort, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between UniMAP and MyUS Hemphouse Sdn. Bhd. from Kuala Lumpur to conduct a study on the product.

Based on a report by Utusan, UniMAP Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Zaliman Sauli said that the MoU will enable research and development (R&D) to be carried out at the university, adding that the collaboration between UniMAP, through the Institute of Sustainable Agrotechnology (Insat) and MyUS will focus on research activities on hemp cultivation in the UniMAP Sungai Chuchuh campus in Padang Besar.

“Both parties will conduct research on hemp cultivation procedures and applications as well as focus on functional materials for agriculture, especially organically to improve the country’s agricultural products. Therefore, with this agreement, research activities on this cultivation can be implemented successfully so that the relationship between the university and the industry can be strengthened with the research collaboration programme conducted,”

“The hemp crop needs strict control and it is also able to be a source of the country’s economy in the future because there are developed countries that allow the use of hemp to be commercialised,” he said.

UniMAP was represented by Zaliman while MyUS Hemphouse was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Nellsen Phillipe Young.

The Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, cum Chancellor of UniMAP, agreed to attend to witness the signing of the ceremony of the MoU. Also present was MyUS Director, Datuk Muhammad Akhbar Gafoor, Director of Insat, Prof. Ir. Dr Abu Hassan Abdullah and the deputy Vice-Chancellors of UniMAP.

MyUS is one of the companies that work with the government to obtain permission to grow, maintain and manage the production of hemp crops as well as produce innovative products based on the crop for the use of composite fibre, bio-diesel, medicine, therapy and health care.

UniMAP through Insat will provide facilities that include land use for the cultivation of the product, while MyUS is responsible for providing infrastructure facilities, technical resources and assistance for research and development activities.

WORLD OF BUZZ has since reached out to UniMAP for comment but have yet to hear back at the present time.

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Also read: Our Govt is Allowing Malaysians to Grow Cannabis Plants For Research Purposes!