In 2005, the Institute of Gerontology, Universiti Putra Malaysia (IG, UPM) established a partnership with the International Institute of Ageing, United Nations - Malta (INIA) to promote global academic cooperation, publication and research activities. Among the specified areas of collaboration included the hosting of a short training programme in gerontology and geriatrics.

From 19 to 26 August 2007, the 1^st In-situ Satellite Training Programme (ISTP) on Demographic, Social and Economic Issues of Ageing was held at the Faculty of Human Ecology, UPM. His Excellency Prof. Dr. John Rizzo Naudi, Chancellor of the University of Malta and Malta’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, officiated the 8-day training programme.
A distinguished panel of international trainers was invited for the inaugural event, namely;

1. Prof. Dr. Joseph Troisi                               

Director, International Institute on Ageing, United Nations - Malta

2. Dr. Kevin Kinsella

Chief, Aging Studies Branch, Center for International Research, US Bureau of the Census, United States of America

3. Prof. Dr. Rajagopal Dhar Chakraborti

Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies, Calcutta University, India

The training was attended by 10 participants from the Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister’s Department, Employees’ Provident Fund, Malaysia, Agape Counseling Centre, Malaysia, as well as academicians from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Utara Malaysia and UPM.

 
With the successful conclusion of the first ISTP on Demographic, Social and Economic Issues of Ageing in 2007, the organizers look forward to make the training programme a major annual event.