Minister impressed with Curtin Sarawak’s research and development

Miri – 26 August, 2009 – Malaysian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Dr. Maximus Ongkili last Saturday said he was impressed with the research projects being carried out by Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak), a number of which are funded by his Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI).

He said this when attending a briefing by academics and researchers of Curtin Sarawak on ongoing and proposed research and development (R&D) projects at the university located at Senadin, about 20 kilometres from Miri.

Datuk Dr. Ongkili was accompanied by a delegation of senior MOSTI officials, including National Biotechnology Division Under-secretary Professor Dr. Rofina Yasmin Othman, Industry Division Under-secretary Sakib Kusmi, and Human Resource Development Unit head, Zalaluddin Abdullah.

Receiving Datuk Dr. Ongkili and his delegation were Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. George Chan Hong Nam and Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who are also the chairmen of the Curtin Sarawak Council and Curtin Sarawak Management Board respectively; Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. John Evans, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. Joan Gribble and Chief Operating Officer James Ng.

Also present were Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui, deans and academics of Curtin Sarawak’s various schools, and members of the local media.

There are seven MOSTI-funded projects ongoing at Curtin Sarawak, which include research into syngas production and power generation from biomass, ethanol production from agricultural products, micro-machining of advanced ceramics and the electrical properties of palm oil. So far, MOSTI has disbursed about RM1.4 million towards the projects.

In his welcoming speech, Datuk Patinggi Dr. Chan said, “We are proud that much of the research that is conducted at Curtin Sarawak is grounded in the real world, with local needs and applications in mind, which have or will someday bring direct benefits to the nation and the social and economic status of our people.”

He said the research activities are an essential component of academic excellence of the university, and despite being a relatively young university in Malaysia, it has an increasingly vibrant research culture and participates in research in a wide range of disciplines.

Datuk Patinggi Dr. Chan cited Curtin Sarawak’s reputable track record in advancing the technologies in bio-energy, waste treatment and fermentation, and the fact that its academics and researchers publish extensively and hold research grants in varied areas such as wireless networks, engineered materials and geological studies, as examples of its excellence in R&D.

The university is also actively engaged in research in the spheres of management, media and linguistic studies and action research, as well as organising international conferences such as the Curtin University of Technology Science and Engineering (CUTSE) International Conference and Curtin International Business Conference later this year, and the Borneo Research Council biennial international conference in July next year.

Datuk Patinggi Dr. Chan added that there will be opportunities for further expansion in R&D in the near future with the establishment of the Curtin Sarawak Research Institute which will undertake research using funds provided by Curtin and the Government of Malaysia, and the BioValley Park Project being developed by the Sarawak State Government at the university campus.

Datuk Dr. Ongkili meanwhile expressed satisfaction with the progress of the MOSTI-funded projects, saying they were consistent with MOSTI’s priorities and additional funds will likely be made available for new projects being proposed by the university. He said his ministry plans to allocate a total of RM2 million to fund Curtin Sarawak’s R&D activities under the ongoing Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006 – 2010).

He also announced the offer of six places for suitable nominees from Curtin Sarawak to pursue masters or doctorate degrees through the ministry’s National Science Fellowship programme.

At a press conference later, Datuk Dr. Ongkili said MOSTI will propose to the Cabinet the setting up of six national innovation centres in the country – four in Peninsular Malaysia and one each in Sarawak and Sabah – before the end of this year. He said the idea for such centres, with the aim of promoting creativity and innovation among Malaysians, was conceived by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. They will be located at selected campuses of tertiary institutions and closely linked to their centres of research and excellence.

Datuk Dr. Ongkili’s visit ended with a tour of Curtin Sarawak’s newest buildings, the Lance Twomey Building housing its School of Business and its Recreation & Events Centre.

Datuk Dr. Ongkili receiving a souvenir from Datuk Patinggi Dr. Chan

as Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Dr .John Evans look on.

Datuk Dr. Ongkili admiring new lecture theatre, flanked by (L-R)

Dr. John Evans, Datuk Peter Chin, Datuk Patinggi Dr. George Chan and

Datuk Lee Kim Shin. 

Dr. Evans pointing out features of the new Recreation & Events Centre