Work on Sarawak Science Centre reaches 40 pct completion

KUCHING (Nov 6): Construction on the Sarawak Science Centre is now 40 per cent complete, said Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC) general manager Dr Peter Morin Nissom.

The RM239 million project located on Jalan Stadium had its ground-breaking ceremony on Oct 1, 2020.

“(Construction) is expected to complete by December 2025,” Peter said in his opening speech for the 2nd SRDC Symposium today.

Covering a site of 10.97 acres, the science centre will be equipped with laboratories, discussion rooms, office space, and hostels.

It is a subsidiary of SRDC, which is a statutory body of the Sarawak government, operating under the purview of the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development.

On SRDC’s other subsidiary, the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC), Peter said construction is now at 6 per cent completion and is scheduled to be finished by late 2026.

SIDC, located adjacent to the Sarawak Heart Centre in Samarahan, will be a cutting-edge facility dedicated to infectious disease research.

Meanwhile, Peter said the 2nd SRDC Symposium included a panel discussion on Sarawak as a renewable energy powerhouse for Asean.

“It is indeed important to hear some insights on this topic as Sarawak is investing big into renewable energy and has just launched the Sarawak Sustainability Blueprint,” he said.

He pointed out that from 2019 to 2024, SRDC funded innovative projects to the tune of RM16.6 million.

As of today, 58 per cent of the projects had been completed, while 42 per cent are ongoing.

These have resulted in 28 publications in tier 1 and 2 journals, 14 filed intellectual properties (IPs), and the ongoing training of 24 doctorate and 22 Master of Science students.

“A number of projects have won awards nationally and internationally. All of our funded projects address the six economic sectors and seven enablers outlined in the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, and also comply with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs),” Peter said

To bring innovations closer to impact, he said SRDC research grants typically require a translational component and the centre also encourages and facilitates public-private partnerships with industry.

“Next year we will be launching a few new grants and programmes,” he said.

He added over the past few years, SRDC, together with its subsidiaries SIDC and SMD Semiconductor, have forged impactful partnerships with both private and public sector agencies, as well as international research organisations.

He pointed out these collaborations are crucial in harnessing capabilities to realise Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s vision of transforming Sarawak into a high-income, sustainable, and technologically advanced region by 2030.

The event also witnessed memorandums of understanding between SIDC and the University of Sheffield, SIDC and Hilleman Laboratories, Singapore – both on partnerships for vaccine knowledge and technology transfer, as well as an MoU between SMD Semiconductor and Curtin University Malaysia on talent development.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian officiated at the symposium’s opening on behalf of the Premier.