Curtin Malaysia researchers secure prestigious research grants to drive Sarawak’s green and digital future

Miri, Sarawak – 6 October 2025 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) has once again proven its research excellence, with four of its academics securing more than RM625,000 in highly competitive funding under the Yayasan Sarawak Research Grant 2025 and the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) Strategic Collaborative Research Grant (SCRG) 2024.

The four funded projects – spanning sustainable biofuel production, agricultural waste management, advanced cybersecurity, and AI-driven cancer detection – are set to deliver tangible solutions that align closely with Sarawak’s Post-COVID Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), particularly in the areas of green growth and the digital economy.

Under the Yayasan Sarawak Research Grant 2025, Ir. Ts. Professor Stephanie Chan, Head of the Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science, was awarded RM127,936 for her pioneering project on producing sustainable bio-jet fuel from black soldier fly larvae using an innovative microwave catalytic process.

Professor Chan, whose project team includes Dr. Jibrail Kansebo, Associate Professor Law Ming Chiat, and industry partner William Hu from Mega BSF Sdn. Bhd., remarked that the project is a significant milestone in advancing Sarawak’s green energy aspirations while proving that innovation and environmental stewardship can – and must – fly together.

Also awarded under the Yayasan Sarawak scheme was Dr. Edza Aria Wikurendra, Chair of Research and Development at the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, who secured RM122,064 for his study on the sustainable utilisation of pineapple waste to create value-added products in support of a circular economy. His research team includes Professor Tony Hadibarata, Josfirin Uding anak Rangga, and Dr. Paran anak Gani from Curtin Malaysia, and Yap Way Lon from TG Agro Fruits Sdn. Bhd.

Dr. Edza emphasised that the grant strengthens collaborative research between Curtin Malaysia and its industry partners while demonstrating the vital role of Sarawak’s support in advancing impactful research for the community.

Meanwhile, under the SDEC Strategic Collaborative Research Grant 2024, Dr. Sivaraman Eswaran, Senior Lecturer in Cybersecurity, received RM227,190 to develop an integrated cyber defence platform for Operational Technology and Industrial Control Systems (OT/ICS). His project aims to strengthen resilience against evolving cyber threats and contribute to safeguarding Sarawak’s digital economy.

Dr. Sivaraman’s project team comprises an interdisciplinary group of international academics and industry partners, including Associate Professor Wong Wei Kitt, Professor Garenth Lim King Hann, and Associate Professor Raymond Chiong from Curtin Malaysia; Dr. Kelvin Yong Sheng Chek from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus; Wang Zhi Xian from Ultech Engineering Sdn. Bhd.; Cyrus Lok Yew Mun from Arc Technologies Sdn. Bhd.; and Dr. Pachami V. from the India Institute of Information Technology Kottayam, India.

The second SCRG 2024 recipient was Foad Motalebi, Lecturer in Electrical and Computer Engineering, who was awarded RM147,900 for his project on blockchain-secured federated learning to enable early cancer detection across distributed healthcare networks. Foad noted that the grant recognises the importance of advancing cybersecurity and healthcare innovations in Sarawak and reinforces his team’s commitment to building trust and resilience in the digital ecosystem.

Foad’s team includes Dr. Sivaraman Eswaran, Associate Professor Wong Wei Kitt, and Dr. Han Yi Chiew from Curtin Malaysia; Nurlaila Binti Rosli from i-CATS University College; Dr. Panchami V. from the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kottayam; Dr. Makhindran Subramaniam from Columbia Asia Hospital, and Teo Yuang Teck from Realfun Academy Sdn. Bhd..

Congratulating the recipients, Professor Vincent Lee Chieng Chen, Pro Vice-Chancellor, President, and Chief Executive of Curtin Malaysia, said the success of the four researchers reflects Curtin Malaysia’s role both as Curtin University’s largest global campus and a leading Sarawak Government-owned institution of higher learning, and a key driver of Sarawak’s research agenda in sustainability and digital innovation.

He added that the projects are expected to bring significant benefits to Sarawak’s economy, environment, and communities, further strengthening the university’s reputation as a centre of excellence in impactful research.

The success of these grants also highlights Curtin Malaysia’s strong partnerships with government, industry, and the community, and underscores its commitment to advancing Sarawak’s sustainable development and digital transformation goals.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

The successful research grant recipients (front row, from right) Foad, Dr. Sivaraman with (second row, from left) Dr. Edza and Professor Chan.

Professor Chan (left) and Dr. Edza, recipients of the Yayasan Sarawak Research Grant 2025.

Dr. Sivaraman (right) and Foad, recipients of the SDEC SCRG 2024.