Written and translated by: Husna Shafiyah binti Hishamuddin

Edited by: Suziana binti Che Wil

PUTRAJAYA, 23rd July – The Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Alumni Relations Centre strengthened its engagement with alumni, academia and industry stakeholders through its active participation in the Global Animal Production & Veterinary Industry Summit (GAVIS) 2026, held over three days at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

Throughout the summit, the UPM Alumni Relations Centre's exhibition booth welcomed a diverse range of visitors, including UPM alumni, distinguished academicians, industry representatives and honoured guests. The event provided an excellent platform to foster stronger connections, encourage knowledge sharing and expand professional networks within the veterinary and animal production sectors.

As part of its engagement initiatives, the Alumni Relations Centre took the opportunity to reconnect with UPM alumni attending the summit, reinforcing the University's commitment to maintaining meaningful and lasting relationships with its alumni community.

Among the distinguished visitors was Professor Datin Paduka Setia Dato' Dr. Aini Ideris, former Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Putra Malaysia. On the second day of GAVIS 2026, she served as a panellist for the Distinguished Forum titled "Driving Transformation in Veterinary Science", where she delivered a presentation entitled "A Future-Ready Veterinarians: Education, Innovation and Professional Excellence." During her visit to the booth, she was warmly received by the Director of the UPM Alumni Relations Centre, Mr. Fahmi Azar Mistar, reflecting her continued support for the University's growth and its alumni community.

The Alumni Relations Centre also welcomed Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato' Dr. Syed Jalaludin bin Syed Salim, former Vice-Chancellor of UPM. As a distinguished panellist in the same forum, he presented "Advancing Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Malaysia: A Distinguished Speaker Perspective," highlighting the progress and future direction of veterinary and animal sciences in Malaysia. His visit underscored his enduring contributions to academia while strengthening ties between the University, its alumni and strategic partners.

Another notable visitor was Professor Dr. Zamri-Saad, lecturer at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia. He also participated in the Distinguished Forum, delivering a presentation titled "Transformation of Veterinary Services in Malaysia," which explored the evolution of the nation's veterinary services in addressing future challenges. His presence demonstrated UPM's continued academic leadership and commitment to advancing the veterinary profession.

The UPM Alumni Relations Centre booth was further honoured by the visit of YB Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad bin Sabu, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, and Datuk Dr. Mohd Noor Hisham bin Mohd Haron, Director General of Veterinary Services and a UPM alumnus (Class of 1995). Their visit, together with many alumni and summit participants, reflected strong support for UPM's efforts to strengthen alumni engagement while fostering collaboration between the University and the veterinary industry.

Director of the UPM Alumni Relations Centre, Mr. Fahmi Azar Mistar, expressed his sincere appreciation to all alumni, distinguished guests and visitors who took the time to visit the UPM booth throughout GAVIS 2026. He noted that their presence and continued support played a significant role in strengthening alumni-university relations while creating opportunities for broader collaboration in the future.

UPM's participation in GAVIS 2026 reflects the University's ongoing commitment to empowering its alumni network, promoting academic excellence and supporting the advancement of Malaysia's veterinary and animal production sectors. Through platforms such as GAVIS, UPM continues to serve as a bridge between academia, alumni and industry, contributing to a more innovative, sustainable and globally competitive veterinary ecosystem.

Date of Input: 27/07/2026 | Updated: 27/07/2026 | suziana.wil