Where Learning Comes Alive

In agricultural science, hands-on learning always beats theory. That is why Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) established the UTAR Agriculture Park, a place where students truly get their hands dirty — in the best way possible.

The park allows students from the Faculty of Science to gain real-world experience in agronomy, aquaculture, and livestock farming. Here, students not only learn concepts but also build skills, develop passion, and prepare for exciting careers in agriculture, food, and environmental sciences.

Located within the UTAR Kampar Campus (Perak), the Agriculture Park reflects the university’s vision for sustainable growth and community impact. Established in 2015, the park has grown from a small plot (previously known as the C4 land) into a thriving 12.5-hectare learning ecosystem that continues to expand.

The park serves as a hub for research, education, and industry collaboration. It supports hands-on student projects, consultancy work, and research partnerships, while also welcoming visitors from schools, industries, and international institutions.

The park is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pedram Kashiani (✉︎ pedram@utar.edu.my) and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ali Yassoralipour (✉︎ aliyas@utar.edu.my), supported by a team of lecturers, lab officers, and enthusiastic students from the Department of Agricultural and Food Science.

A Living Laboratory of Innovation

Spanning 12.5 hectares, the UTAR Agriculture Park is home to an impressive range of facilities, including:

• Greenhouses and planting grounds
• Aquaculture facilities and ex–tin mining ponds
• Goat farm, propagation shed, and mushroom culture house
• Animal houses, field laboratories, insectarium, herbarium, and storage areas

New projects such as stingless bee farming, corn and okra cultivation, and solar fertigation systems are also underway, keeping the park lively with innovation and discovery.

Here is a closer look at some of the park’s highlights.

Aquaculture Facility and Ponds

Near Gate A lies the Aquaculture Facility (AQF), headed by Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Teoh Chaiw Yee and supported by Ts. Muhammad Zulhilmi Bin Sahabudin.

The facility features modern systems such as biofloc technology, aquaponics, aquafeed formulation, and intensive freshwater aquaculture systems. Students learn how to culture commercially important species including:

• Giant freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)
• Red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.)
• Baung catfish (Hemibagrus capitulum)
• Redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus)

These systems are used for teaching, consultancy, and research, giving students direct exposure to the aquaculture industry.

Surrounding the AQF are scenic ex–tin mining ponds that have been transformed into productive aquaculture sites, showing how sustainability and creativity can work hand in hand.

Goat Shed

In the cooler and quieter part of the park is the Goat Shed, managed by Asst. Prof. Dr. Kwong Phek Jin and lab officer Cik Hazlinda binti Hashim.

Home to Boer-cross and Kalahari-cross goats, the shed also houses chicken and quail coops and lush Napier grass pastures. Students learn about farm management, animal nutrition, and breeding, and are introduced to modern technologies such as ultrasound scanning and feed optimization.

This facility allows students to experience the daily rhythm of real farm life, from caring for newborn kids to conducting research on sustainable livestock management.

Greenhouses

Entering from Gate B, visitors are greeted by the UTAR Greenhouses, managed by Asst. Prof. Dr. Clement Wong Kiing Fook, Asst. Prof. Dr. Ali Yassoralipour, and En. Muhamad Ridzuan Bin Imam Sukaeil.

These greenhouses support fertigation, hydroponics, and aquaponics, forming the backbone of UTAR’s plant science and agrotechnology research. Students learn to optimize fertilizer use, study plant growth, and manage pest and disease challenges through modern farming systems.

One of the park’s proudest achievements is its collaboration with Hami Ecofarms Sdn. Bhd., producing premium Japanese muskmelons (Mizuki, Hikari, and Fujisawa varieties). These melons are sold during UTAR’s graduation ceremonies, a sweet symbol of teamwork and innovation. The project also provides students with valuable industry experience.

Activities That Inspire

STEM Activities

To spark curiosity and build appreciation for agriculture, the Faculty of Science organizes various STEM-based programmes at the Agriculture Park. These include:

• UTAR Holiday Science Camp
• Agriculture–Microbiology Edufun Workshop Series
• Agriculture Technology and Seminar Series

The park also welcomes school visits, industry guests, and researchers who want to experience how science connects with nature and sustainability. Please write to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pedram Kashiani (✉︎ pedram@utar.edu.my) and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ali Yassoralipour (✉︎ aliyas@utar.edu.my) for arrangements.

Tree Planting Initiatives

Supporting UTAR’s sustainability goals, the Agriculture Park hosts tree-planting events that transform reclaimed land into green and vibrant spaces.

Students and staff plant fruit trees and native species that reduce soil erosion, beautify the landscape, and preserve crop diversity. The produce from these trees also helps fund the park’s operations, making the activity meaningful both environmentally and educationally.

Where Passion Takes Root

The UTAR Agriculture Park is more than a place to study. It is where ideas grow, skills develop, and futures take shape. Students graduate not only with knowledge but also with confidence, creativity, and practical experience that prepare them for the real world.

If you love nature, technology, food, or sustainability, and want a career that makes a difference, UTAR’s Bachelor of Science (Hons) Agricultural Science is the perfect starting point.