AAR Annual Dinner 2011 – 25th Anniversary

In the blink of an eye, AAR is 25 years young, years of excellence! What more fitting than a grand dinner night to commemorate such an important milestone.

With a bunch of young, energetic and talented junior research officers and staffs, the AAR Sports and Recreation Committee (AARSRC) threw a splendid and colourful dinner at Concorde Hotel, Shah Alam on 2 December 2011. A record breaking number of more than 400 staff, workers and their spouses from Peninsular, East Malaysia and Indonesia graced the occasion.

The dinner kicked off with the arrival of our distinguished guests and their spouses from our Principals and estates walking down the red carpet ……

The cake-cutting ceremony

Dr. Kee Khan Kiang (Director of Research) with his welcoming speech together with Mr. Goh Kah Joo (Deputy Director of Research) and Mr. Lee Kok Yew (AARSRC President) officiating the cake-cutting ceremony to mark our 25 years anniversary.

Highlights of the event

A walk down memory lane via a video clip, a showcase of AAR’s past and present achievements

Then… Now…

Performances from staff of various departments:

TC lab with their rendering of “Kau ilham ku…”	Main Office doing the “Tarian Tari Tualang Tiga”
Paloh Substation with their Joget Pahang…
TC lab doing the Indian modern dance and fashion show	Our invited guest, Dr. Chung rendering his classical chinese songs

Cat walk….in Bollywood style

Award presentations :

Lucky draw winners:

To the Organising Committee, Kudos to a job well done!!!!!

Prepared by Julie Yee

Personal Details/Awards/Publications: Cheah Li Wen (CLW)

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Summary: Cheah Li Wen (CLW)

	CHEAH LI WEN (CLW) Contact Details : Advanced Agriecological Research S/B, No. 11, Jalan Teknologi 3/6, Taman Sains Selangor 1, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Tel : 603-6151 7924 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 Fax : 603-6151 7081 Email : cheahlw@aarsb.com.my Personal Web Page : –
Education
2012	B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agricultural Science	University of Adelaide, Australia
Career Outline
2012 – Present	Assistant Research Officer I	Advanced Agriecological Research Sdn. Bhd.
Job Description
Assistant Research Officer I. Currently undergoing training to equip myself as a competent oil palm agronomist, capable of implementing and managing specific research programmes, conducting certain agronomic field trials as well as visiting and advising estate managers independently on agronomic matters. In addition, I also assist some of the research officers in their research and development work programs. My research work is focused on the various aspects of Ganoderma, which causes basal and upper stem rot in oil palm, specifically with regards to the biological control of this fungus.
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Personal Details/Awards/Publications: Tan Swee Sian (TSS)

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Personal Details/Awards/Publications: Dr. Teo Tze Min (TTM)

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Summary: Tan Swee Sian (TSS)

	TAN SWEE SIAN (TSS) Contact Details : Advanced Agriecological Research S/B, No. 11, Jalan Teknologi 3/6, Taman Sains Selangor 1, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Tel : 603-6151 7924 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 Fax : 603-6151 7081 Email : TanSS@aarsb.com.my Personal Web Page : –
Education
2011	B. Sc. in Biomedical Science	The University of Queensland, Australia
2012	B. Sc. (Hons.) in Microbiology	The University of Queensland, Australia
Career Outline
2013 – Present	Graduate Research Assistant	Advanced Agriecological Research Sdn. Bhd.
Job Description
Graduate Research Assistant under Environmental Microbiology Section. I will be working mostly on investigating potential microbes in soils, which either beneficial or harmful to plants. My research work is focused on establishing molecular biology technique/protocol in order to understand the interaction between soil microbes and plants. Most works would be linking soil, microbes, and plants as one single integrated system.
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Summary: Dr. Teo Tze Min (TTM)

	DR. TEO TZE MIN (TTM) Contact Details : Advanced Agriecological Research S/B, No. 11, Jalan Teknologi 3/6, Taman Sains Selangor 1, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Tel : 603-6151 7924 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 Fax : 603-6151 7081 Email : teotm@aarsb.com.my Personal Web Page : –
Education
2004	B.Sc. (Hons.) in Genetics/Microbiology	Queen Mary, University of London
2011	DPhil in Zoology	University of Oxford
Career Outline
2004 – 2005	Laboratory Assistant	Ambiensis Ltd.
2012 – Present	Assistant Research Officer II	Advanced Agriecological Research Sdn. Bhd.
Job Description
Assistant Research Officer II. As an oil palm agronomist/entomologist, my main job functions are to implement and manage specific research programmes, conducting field trials relating to entomology, as well as advising estate managers on agronomic matters. As I have recently joined AAR, the initial steps are to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to enable me to carry out my job responsibilities.
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Director of Research

Message from the Director of Research: Dr Tasren Nazir Mahamooth

Our plantation Industry and its main crop, the oil palm face significant global challenges, including improving production and efficiency in the estates, and resilience in adapting to the challenges faced by management and climate change. At AAR, we shall continue with our main R&D focus programmes on improving our oil palm planting materials, agronomic and management systems especially the site-specific precision systems and better technologies to develop effective and efficient sustainable production systems and methods through working with management, other research centres and experts in Industry and Academia for collective progress.

As the new Director of Research, my vision is to continue carry the baton to “position AAR as a leader in addressing these critical issues through innovative research and development. Overcoming these challenges requires more sharing of results, achievements and collaboration with stakeholders in the Industry. By partnering with other R&D organisations and academics from universities, we shall leverage our strengths and expertise to achieve impactful advancements more quickly”.

“Addressing challenges through R&D”

Our R&D programmes will therefore “focus firstly on speeding up development and production of superior oil palm planting materials through our current advanced breeding, tissue culture and biotechnology techniques”. This includes creating high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties that can thrive in diverse environments. Our Palm Breeding station, Biotechnology, and Tissue Culture laboratories are already well-known for their research in this field. Together with the research trials and large database of past and current results, the Agronomy Section and its field substations located in strategic agro-climatic zones across Malaysia, AAR is well-poised to make more significant impacts and improvements in planting materials, working hand-in-hand with agronomists and planters.

Secondly, our breeding and selection, agronomy and crop management improvement programmes will be supported by our enlarged and focused R&D programmes “in precision agriculture and digital technologies to optimise resource use and improve productivity and efficiency in the estates”. Leveraging tools like GIS, UAVs, and data analytics, we will help our Principals make data-driven decisions to achieve higher yields and sustainability.

Thirdly, “we will pioneer integrated pest and disease management and microbial solutions that reduce reliance on chemical treatments”. Our Pest & Disease and Microbiology Laboratories will spearhead the development of environmentally friendly biocontrol agents and integrated approaches to safeguard palm health and resilience.

Fourthly, we shall “continue to stress on the importance of the best oil palm agronomic and management systems”, most efficient inputs and practices in maintaining soil health and achieving the site yield potentials and sustainability based on good sound scientific principles and science. This is crucial for a long-term Industry like ours to overcome the rising costs and achieve sustained higher profitability to attract more talented staff and personnel with the required skills and ambition to join our industry.

Our agronomy research programmes will therefore focus on optimising soil health, nutrient management, and water use efficiency to ensure long-term sustained productivity. “By recommending and implementing proven best management practices, we aim to address the industry's pressing issues and support its sustainable growth”. Additionally, “we recognise the need to generate robust scientific data to substantiate our claims of sustainability of oil palm cultivation and palm oil production. This data is essential for addressing misconceptions and providing evidence-based insights to stakeholders, policymakers, consumers and the public”.

Lastly, “investing in our R&D and personnel growth is fundamental to achieving our vision”. We are committed to providing our researchers and staff with the resources, training, and opportunities they need to excel and contribute positively to AAR and our Principals and clients. By fostering a culture of continuous interest in their projects, learning and innovation, we will ensure that AAR remains at the forefront of effective oil palm research and development. Our dedicated team of scientists and experts will drive the improvements and advancements necessary to overcome the industry's challenges and propel AAR to further excellence in upstream oil palm R&D.

As we look forward to the future, it is also apt to pay homage to the past Directors of Research whose contributions have laid the foundation for AAR's successes to date. AAR was established in 1986 by a group of experienced agronomists and scientists led by Mr Chew Poh Soon. Mr Chew's visionary leadership set the stage for AAR to facilitate research studies on tropical plantation crops and provide advisory services to our Principals, two prominent public-listed plantation companies in Malaysia, Boustead Plantations Berhad and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad. The company continued to grow under the leaderships of Dr Soh Aik Chin, Dr Kee Khan Kiang, Mr Goh Kah Joo, Mr Patrick Ng and Mr Tey Seng Heng. “Each of these leaders significantly contributed to AAR's development, expanding its capabilities and reach. Their efforts and dedication have made AAR a reputable centre for Plantation research and development”.

By aligning our R&D priorities with the industry's most pressing needs, I am confident that AAR will emerge as a global leader in sustainable oil palm R&D and innovation in the critical upstream sector. “Together, we will drive our Principals, Kuala-Lumpur Kepong Bhd and Boustead Plantations Bhd, along with the oil palm industry forward and secure a prosperous future for all stakeholders”.

Personal Details/Awards/Publications: Rizki Darusalam (RD)

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AAR Annual Dinner 2012

Time flies… AAR is 26 years old now and we have finally moved into our new office in Kota Damansara. All AAR members got together and enjoyed the annual dinner and celebrated the 26^th year anniversary. The annual dinner was held at Holiday Villa Hotel and Suites Subang on 7 December 2012 with the theme “Black, White and Purple”, and everyone dressed in black, white and purple. The following are some pictures taken during the events.

Director of Research, Mr. Goh Kah Joo (left most) talking to guest relation staff at the registration counter. All of them dressed in black, white and purple and smiled sweetly.

The famous and talented Mcees in AAR, Shannon (left) and Masni (middle) who did a good job in entertaining everyone during the event. The President of AAR Sports Club, En. Ezwan (right) gave a speech for the night.

We’re so hungry… Everyone lined up to enjoyed the delicious food. They laughed and participated in the stage performance during the night.

Dancers and singer at AAR . Their performance added much joy to the night.

It’s time for lucky draw. Director picked a number using his lucky hand. See…Who is the lucky winner?

Various award presentations were given to the staff such as dedication award, innovative award, initiative award and long service award as well as top academic achievement award for employee’s children.

Last but not least, thanks to all the organizing committee members of the annual dinner. Their effort made the annual dinner a great success.