Datuk Lee Kim Shin: Government interested in any novel ideas and concepts that can help in development of SCORE

Miri – 24 November 2009 – Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak)’s CUTSE International Conference 2009 was launched by Sarawak Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development & Communications and Assistant Minister of Social Development & Urbanisation Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who is also chairman of the Curtin Sarawak Management Board, at an opening ceremony held at the university campus today.

More than 100 academics and researchers from some 15 countries as well as Curtin Sarawak final-year undergraduate students are attending the 2-day conference themed ‘Progress in Science and Engineering for Sustainable Development’ and hosted by the university’s School of Engineering and Science in collaboration with the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), Miri Branch.

In his keynote address to the conference delegates, Datuk Lee said the focus of the conference was most relevant to the developmental needs of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), in addition to addressing global industrial and technological needs for climate change.

“Naturally, we in the Sarawak State Government are very interested in any novel ideas and concepts that can help in the development of SCORE, the corridor being the catalyst that will raise the economy of the state a quantum level through waves of development and ultimately transform Sarawak into a developed state by the end of the next decade,” he said.

 “As the core of SCORE is the energy resources found abundantly in the Central Region of Sarawak, the long-term sustainability of the state’s resources has to be addressed. Any relevant scientific or technological findings through studies and research by academicians and researchers such as yourselves could prove very useful to us,” Datuk Lee remarked.

He went on to commend the Curtin Sarawak School of Engineering and Science and the IEM, Miri Branch for continuing to organise the CUTSE conference and taking it international last year. He said by doing so, they were helping Curtin fulfill its commitment to innovation and excellence in teaching and research, while at the same time promoting sustainable technology and innovative research in the 21st Century.

151 papers will be presented by delegates from Australia, Singapore, France, New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Turkey and Malaysia during the conference, and selected papers will be published in three international journals.

According to Datuk Lee, this was a tremendous achievement in itself, and certainly helps to bolster the international status and future viability of the CUTSE International Conference. He added that the participation of keynote speakers from leading Malaysian universities and industry also lent considerable prestige to the conference.

He also noted that this year’s conference will serve as a forum for Curtin Sarawak undergraduate students to present their final year projects, and that 50 student projects will be presented in the form of oral and poster presentations. ”I believe drawing students into conferences such as this helps provide a learning culture that promotes and develops professionalism amongst our graduates,” he said.

Curtin Sarawak’s Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Joan Gribble, meanwhile, expressed hopes that the conference participants to not only examine the tremendous strides made in technology and the sciences, but also be inspired to gear their research increasingly towards achieving a more sustainable development globally.

“Sustainable development has taken on greater importance and urgency all over the world. Indeed, it is a process of change that is drastically transforming business and industry, including the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development, and institutional change. Supporting sustainable development is now as much an economic necessity as it is an environmental and social necessity,” she said.

Professor Gribble added that scientists and engineers, be they in academia or industry, have a significant role to play in sustainable development. They can take the lead in coming up with appropriate technologies and approaches to help ensure that the needs of present generations continue to be met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

She said the CUTSE International Conference provided an excellent platform for scientists and engineers from around the world to share the latest innovations, research and practices in the sciences and engineering; to explore their potential for industrial applications, and initiate further collaborative research in their respective fields. She hoped the conference would pave the way for greater local and international collaborations and encourage further research, as well as contribute to the sustainable development of the Malaysian and world economies.

This year’s CUTSE International Conference is supported by the Miri City Council, Sarawak Convention Bureau, Sarawak Tourism Board, Science Publications and the Miri Marriott Resort & Spa.

Also present at the opening ceremony were Mayor of Miri, Lawrence Lai; conference co-chairmen Dr. Yudi Samyudia and Dr. Alexander Gorin; senior managers and academics of Curtin Sarawak, and members of the local media.

Datuk Lee Kim Shin addressing the

conference delegates.

Datuk Lee (5th left, front row) with conference

organisers and delegates.