AGE has not dimmed Joseph Kannesan’s thirst for knowledge. At 72, he has returned to university to pursue a Master of Science in Agricultural Science (Agronomy) at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Sarawak, proving that learning has no expiry date.
“I returned to the academic world not merely to obtain a qualification, but to contribute to knowledge and help the younger generation understand the importance of sustainable agriculture,” he said at the 49th UPM convocation ceremony, first session, in Bintulu today.
With a career spanning research roles at agricultural institutes and consultancy work in the private sector, Joseph now leads a technical team providing guidance to farmers both locally and internationally.
“The biggest challenges for farmers and researchers today are climate change, shortages of skilled labour, and rising agricultural input costs. Researchers must ensure their innovations are practical and can be applied in the field,” Harian Metro cited him saying.
Joseph praised UPMS for fostering a conducive learning environment for both young students and experienced professionals, describing the university as “not just a place to acquire knowledge, but a centre for building a community of dedicated, globally minded researchers.”
Over more than four decades in agriculture, Joseph has led landmark projects, including the development of two Standard Malaysian Rubber processing plants in Papua New Guinea for export to European markets.
“Learning has no end point. As long as we breathe, we must seek knowledge. Agriculture is constantly evolving, and we must evolve with it,” he said, urging young students to remain committed to lifelong learning. - November 2, 2025
