Professor Chin Hoong Fong- An icon of knowledge

Emeritus Professor Chin Hoong Fong

Vegetables as leaves, roots, shoots, fruits or seeds 
Eaten cooked or raw to satisfy dietary needs 
Good for health they have proven 
Especially when organically grown; 
Tasty, attractive and nutritious when fresh 
Appetite enhancer and known to reduce stress 
Besides food value, some have power to heal 
Lowering blood pressure, they are ideal; 
Ensured of their goodness for our table 
Surely we must grow and eat more vegetables. – H.F. Chin  

The above poem is quoted from the book Malaysian Vegetables in Colour by the eminent Emeritus Professor Chin Hoong Fong. It brings to mind the government’s current emphasis on agriculture and healthy living.  

Recently, I had the privilege of meeting up with Prof Chin in his office in the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), Serdang, Selangor, to get an insight into his illustrious career.  
 

Prof Chin in IPGRI, Serdang

 Prof Chin is a man of small stature who speaks softly. However, he is prolific with the pen and amazing in his achievements in agriculture. Prof Chin is a national icon of knowledge and expertise. He is a university lecturer, world-renowned researcher and prominent writer.  

When Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi launched Malaysia’s National Biotechnology Policy, he called on scientists to tap Malaysia’s natural resources and biodiversity to develop our human capability. In this respect, Malaysia needs resourceful people. Prof Chin is one resourceful senior who is still contributing to agriculture. 

I asked Prof Chin for his views on agriculture as an engine of growth. He said: “I agree that agriculture is very important as a third engine of growth. We cannot live on computer chips alone. However, we must make agriculture more efficient. One way is to reduce post harvest losses and cut costs of production through mechanisation or other biotechnological methods. We must aim at production not only for home consumption but for export.”  

Looking back, Prof Chin’s ambition to be a plant scientist was achieved by hard work and gritty determination. After his Form Five education in Methodist Boys’ School Kuala Lumpur, he planned to study agriculture at the University of Melbourne. “My mother thought I was crazy, asking me whether I intended to grow apples in Malaysia upon my return!” he recalled.  

He vividly remembers his arduous two-week journey to Australia in 1955 – from a train ride to Singapore, a cargo boat ride to Freemantle and a transcontinental train ride to Melbourne. After obtaining his agricultural science degree in 1960, he started work as a lecturer in 1961 at the College of Agriculture Serdang, now called Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).   

Giving a lecture at UPM in the 1970s

While working, he obtained his Masters and PhD of Agricultural Science, also from the University of Melbourne. He was appointed Associate Professor in 1975, Professor in 1981 and Emeritus Professor in 1995 at UPM.  

Prof Chin: Bachelor, Masters & PhD in Agric Sc from Univ of Melbourne

In recognition of Prof Chin’s contribution to the university and international agriculture, he was awarded an Honorary degree of Doctor of Agricultural Science by University of Melbourne in 1994. 
 
 Prof Chin’s Honours and Academic Societies are numerous including Honorary Fellow of International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Fellow of Malaysian Scientific Association, Fellow of the Institute of Biology London 1981, Life Member of the Agricultural Institute of Malaysia, Jasa Setia Mahkota from His Majesty the King 1990 and Foundation Fellow of Academy of Science Malaysia 1995.  

Prof Chin has been working for more than 40 years in the same institution, UPM – the last 10 years on a voluntary basis.   

Over the years he has collected some 1,100 books and reference materials on agriculture, botany and the conservation of plant resources, which he donated to the UPM library on his retirement.  

Prof Chin’s main interest in research is in Seed Technology, particularly in the preservation of recalcitrant seeds. These delicate seeds are extremely vulnerable and difficult to store. He is most well known for developing a technique of cryopreservation – excising the seed embryo and preserving them at temperatures as low as minus 195°C . This has led to germplasm storage for many tropical crops of immeasurable value like rubber, coconut, jackfruit, rambutan and ornamental plants.   
 

A variety of multi-coloured seeds

 His research in seed technology and related subjects has been published in over 100 research papers and six books. He is undeniably the most sought after human resource on seeds.  

While we were having tea, I asked Prof Chin what his most memorable moments were. His eyes became misty as he recalled the past.  

“Memorable moments can be pleasant or unpleasant. One incident that I cannot forget was in Brasilia (South America) where I was running a workshop on Seed Conservation. One day, I had a motor car accident. When I woke up, I was shocked to find myself in a hospital, with 12 fractured ribs and one fractured collar bone! All around me, people were speaking Portuguese.”  

Prof Chin’s proudest moment was when he was honoured by Melbourne University with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Agricultural Science.   

At the ceremony in Melbourne, in the presence of the Chancellor and the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, he gave an address where he told all present: “This is the happiest day of my life!”   

Prof Chin (far left) with his Hon Doc of Agric Sc, in Melbourne

Prof Chin has many hobbies; among them are gardening, photography and writing. “I am a keen gardener, growing pesticide-free vegetables, fruits and flowers for my own needs,” he enthused.  

Prof Chin’s photos have won many first prizes in agriculture and horticulture exhibitions and competitions. He also composes poems; the most prominent one is on the hibiscus, our national flower. He was one of the organisers who gave expert advice on its planting, design and landscape.  

To date, Prof Chin has written 11 books. He also collects stamps and fishes, in various forms made of glass, wood, paper, clay and metal. To share his passion for plants with the public, he has helped to produce three series of the Malaysian definitive stamps on Malaysian flowers, fruits and agricultural crops in 1986.  

Some of Prof Chin's published books

He opined: “In Malaysia, the retiring age has not changed for the past 50 years. As our life expectancy has increased, the retiring age should increase too. Prof Chin is glad to know that now in 2015, the retiring age is 60.

“Even though I am a pensioner for the past 15 years, I have not retired, as I work on a voluntary basis. I am lucky I can continue with my work daily on an honorary capacity. In fact, I pay to work,” he added in jest. “I even work in two places, UPM and IPGRI.”
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This article was printed in the Star (Malaysian newspaper) on July 11, 2005. It is edited 
and photos are added here.

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Update in 2015:

When Prof Chin officially became a pensioner in 1990, he never really retired. He continued working on a voluntary basis, contributing back to society. His work continued in the educational field promoting public awareness on conservation of plant genetic resources. He lectures to graduate students, gives talks to Rotary clubs, garden society, horticulture society, NGOs and schools. These are some of his honorary social duties to the public and at the same time, he is writing his autobiography.  

In 2005, Prof Chin visited the University of Melbourne as part of his Golden Anniversary tour. This marks the 50^th anniversary of his arrival in Australia in 1956. It was a memorable visit because Prof Chin obtained his Bachelor, Masters and PhD in Agricultural Science as well as an Honorary Degree  from the University of Melbourne.

In 2010, Prof Chin celebrated his Golden Anniversary after 50 years of service in UPM (formerly Serdang College) where he gave a public lecture “Blazing my Golden Journey (1960 -2010)". His former Principal Mr Ian Martin and many of his former students and friends attended the momentous occasion.

A Tribute to 50 years of Service and Contribution to Agriculture

Prof Chin with friends at his "Blazing my Golden Journey (1960 - 2010)" 

2015 is a very auspicious year for Prof Chin. In February, he celebrated his birthday, his golden wedding anniversary and Chinese New Year, "three in one, like teh tarik" he said. He became an octogenarian and got an OBE, not from the Queen, but Over Blessed Eighty (OBE), he said in jest. 

The celebration in a restaurant in Petaling Jaya was attended by family members and close friends. Prof Chin's family members presented him a lovely cake with a unique design: a chocolate seed in the centre with  80 candles surrounding the seed.

Prof Chin cutting his birthday cake

What is Prof Chin's hope for the future? He dreams that there will be a National Hibiscus Garden in Malaysia, as hibiscus is our national flower. As a plant conservationist for the past 30 years, his second dream is to see more “Plantation conservation” example having a forest, palm, wild fruits, ornamental or medicinal plant gardens, thriving in the plantations or estates.

Hibiscus- Malaysia's national flower

Finally, Prof Chin wishes to give us a special gift, his PET. This is not a dog or a cat - his PET stands for Patience, Endurance and Tolerance. He says that if we have these three qualities, we can face life with success and confidence.


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Update in 2018

Prof Chin (seated on the left) with guests in a CNY luncheon

On 26th January 2018, my husband and I attended a Chinese New Year gathering, organised by Prof Chin, for students and lecturers of UPM, and friends. Prof Chin had been organising the Chinese New Year luncheon every year, for more than 20 years. 

Although his voice was softer, he was his usual self, when he gave his welcome speech spiced with wit and humour. As his birthday was in January, all of the guests who had birthdays in January and February joined him in celebrating his birthday with happy birthday songs and cutting of birthday cakes.

When Prof Chin was ill in Assunta Hospital, he wrote a letter to UPM, Biodiversity and all his students, past and present. In the letter, he wished that a Hibiscus Garden be built in UPM as a legacy for him (The Hibiscus Man).

He likened Life to the Making of Tea. Quoted here:

"Life is like making tea

Boil your ego
Evaporate your worries
Dilute your sorrows
Filter your mistakes and
Get a taste of Happiness. "

Sadly, Professor Emeritus Dr Chin Hoong Fong passed away on 18th March 2018. We will miss this eminent icon of knowledge dearly. May he rest in peace.

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