Serdang, 27 August 2025 – The Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia (ITAFoS, UPM) has completed the Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) Programme Audit, conducted by the Internal Audit Department, UPM. The audit was carried out from 13 August 2025 to 27 August 2025, which started with the Opening Session on 13 August 2025, also attended by representatives from the Central Management Operation Financial Division, Bursar Office, UPM.

The purpose of this HICoE Programme Audit was to evaluate the research programmes/activities conducted to ensure alignment with HICoE’s strategic objectives, to achieve the intended impact, and to identify opportunities for enhancing the management processes of HICoE activities. The audit scope covered four (4) aspects: governance, grant and financial management, performance, and monitoring and evaluation for ITAFoS HICoE Phase I and II Programmes.

The audit also covered verification of HICoE assets and equipment. A total of 65 selected HICoE assets/equipment were audited across 14 ITAFoS research facilities, namely the Laboratory of Animal Production; Central Laboratory; Collaborative Laboratory FSTM & ITAFoS; Animal Research Centre; Field 10; Field 15; Postgraduate Room; Laboratory of Meat Science, Faculty of Agriculture; Laboratory of Molecular and Food Crops; Laboratory of Plant Physiology Laboratory; Laboratory of Clinical Research Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The audit concluded with a briefing on HICoE research projects by the Director of ITAFoS, attended by the Project Leader of HICoE Phase II.

Date of Input: 29/08/2025 | Updated: 29/08/2025 | s_hasimah