BioValley Park Project at Curtin Sarawak to significantly boost research and development

Miri – 14 April, 2009 – The Sarawak Government’s BioValley Park Project to be developed at the Curtin Sarawak campus here is expected to give a significant boost to research and development and knowledge accumulation in Sarawak to meet the state’s technological needs, particularly in relation to the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, who is also the chairman of the Curtin Sarawak Council, said the first phase of the project spearheaded by the state Ministry of Industrial Development will be developed on a 10-acre site at the campus.

“For Phase 1, we will build the R&D complex, a two-storey building with an inner courtyard. The complex will have a total floor area of about 4,900 square metres and will house research labs on the ground floor and administrative and support offices on the first floor,” he said when delivering his speech at Curtin Sarawak’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Event on 4 April 2009.

The grand event to mark Curtin’s ten years in Sarawak included the launch of Curtin Sarawak’s new School of Business building and Recreation & Events Centre, in addition to the BioValley Park Project, by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud. Also present to witness the event were Curtin University of Technology’s Chancellor Gordon Martin and Vice-Chancellor Professor Jeanette Hacket, Federal Minister of Plantation Industries & Commodities Datuk Peter Chin, State Secretary Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot, Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development & Communication and chairman of the Curtin Sarawak management board Lee Kim Shin, and Curtin Sarawak’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor John Evans.

Dr Chan added that work on Phase 1 will soon take off with site preparation work to commence in June and building work to begin later in the year. “We hope to fast-track the completion of the complex to late 2010,” he said.

Dr Chan disclosed that the BioValley Park Project was first mooted by Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud who took a special interest in the project after reviewing an earlier concept for a technology park. A few locations in Sarawak were considered for project, but after much consideration, Miri was decided to be the best location given the presence of Curtin Sarawak and its proven track record in research and development.

“This is a plus for the project as R&D requires readily available linkages and Curtin Sarawak, a world-class university, will help provide a ready pool of researchers and a wealth of knowledge. In time, we will establish linkages between the facility and industries for commercialisation and patenting of findings such as the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products,” he disclosed.

Dr Chan thanked the Federal Government for providing a RM15 million loan, and to the Curtin Sarawak management board for excising the 10-acre site for the project.

He added that the project marked an important milestone for the Ministry of Industrial Development. “The Ministry takes pride in assuming a slightly different role from just passively providing serviced industrial land for investors or would-be manufacturers with this project. It is now playing a more catalytic role in creating the ambience and conducive working environment for research and development to take place,” he said.

“With the BioValley Park Project in place, and with Curtin Sarawak’s continued growth and development in infrastructure, research and development and academic excellence, I am confident we can make Miri a reputable centre of knowledge and learning that will contribute significantly towards the development and progress of the state and nation,” said Dr Chan.

The Chief Minister (far left) admiring a model of the BioValley Park Project, together with (from left) Dr Chan, Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot, Datuk Peter Chin, Lee Kim Shin, John Evans, Jeanette Hacket and Gordon Martin.

Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, Dr Chan, Datuk Amar Wilson, Datuk Peter Chin, Lee Kim Shin.