Selangor ruler decrees UPM keeping name

Sultan ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah today said the name of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) will remain.

His Highness said neither the UPM board of trustees nor he as chancellor were consulted in advance regarding any proposed change to the university’s name.

“Therefore, I do not agree with the proposal,” he said at the second part of Session One of the 48th UPM Convocation Ceremony in Putrajaya today.

Sultan Sharafuddin in his speech stressed that the UPM name should be maintained because he had launched the Putra brand which stands for “agriculture for the people”.

He said the name UPM is also in honour of the name of the first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-haj.

“Therefore, here I would like to remind those who do not understand history to read and examine historical facts before making any statements, especially involving UPM,” he said.

On Thursday, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said a proposal to have the varsity revert to its original name, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, would be submitted to the cabinet for discussion.

Sultan Sharafuddin in his speech also recommended that UPM collaborate with other industry players in the agricultural sector to find ways to re-popularise the agricultural sector in the country, especially among the younger generation.

He said society’s negative view of agriculture as a field with no prospects ought to be changed and the community needs to be convinced that agriculture has potential and a bright future.

“This needs to be done because agriculture is a sector that needs to be maintained and it is an important sector,” His Highness said.

- Bernama

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