SERDANG, 8 August 2025 – Centre for Academic Development and Leadership Excellence (CADe-Lead), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) today held the fifth event of the Syarahan Rashdan Baba Series, featuring Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Mad Nasir Shamsudin, a distinguished professor of agricultural economics. The lecture, titled “Reshaping Malaysia's Food Security: From Dietary Transitions to Sustainable Policy Action”, was presented at Dewan Taklimat Serdang. The session was honorly graced by YBhg. Dato' Prof. Ir. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, Vice-Chancellor of UPM; YBhg. Prof. Dr. Zamberi Sekawi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) who is also fulfilling the duties as  Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic & International); and YBrs. Prof. Madya Ts. Dr. Wan Zuhainis Saad, Director of CADe-Lead. Adding significance to the programme, UPM also launched the Putra-eX Platform and Micro-credentials (MC) Mata Pelajaran Pengajian Umum (MPU). Putra-eX, the rebranded version of PutraMOOC, is UPM’s innovative platform for flexible and lifelong learning, highlighting the themes of ‘eXplore’, ‘fleXible’, and ‘eXcel’. The platform offers high-quality, accredited courses, accessible anytime and anywhere, aligning with UPM’s mission to promote inclusive and life-long learning. The MC MPU offers accredited, online micro-courses designed to widen access to high-quality learning for students and professionals. Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Mad Nasir urged a shift in food-security discourse from an almost exclusive focus on production to include the consumer perspective — notably changing dietary patterns, consumption preferences for protein and higher-quality (safer) food, and issues of affordability. He drew attention to worrying indicators despite steady national GDP growth, including the rise in child stunting and millions facing moderate to severe food insecurity. Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Mad Nasir outlined key policy priorities emphasised in his lecture: Narrowing income inequality to improve access and affordability of nutritious food. Reforming rice policy — including proposals to float local rice prices while providing targeted subsidies for vulnerable households to ensure equitable access. Addressing market failures through market-based instruments that incentivise food-safety compliance and higher-quality production.   He warned that dietary transitions (from carbohydrate-to protein-based diets) have increased import dependence and food trade deficits, exerting upward pressure on food prices and raising affordability concerns for lower-income groups. The lecture closed with a call for inclusive, cross-sectoral policy measures to ensure that economic growth translates into improved nutrition and food security for all Malaysians. Nearly 100 participants attended the event. The Syarahan Rashdan Baba Series continues to be a platform for informed sharing of national challenges and leadership empowerment, while the Putra-eX and MC MPU launch marks UPM’s step forward in enabling flexible and life-long learning.

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Date of Input: 11/08/2025 | Updated: 11/08/2025 | azryadeny