Abang Jo in Australia on five-day working visit

MELBOURNE: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg arrived here on Monday (Aug 26) to begin a five-day working visit that will continue until Aug 30.

Abang Johari’s itinerary kicks off today with a visit to Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn Campus at 10.15 am where he will attend a campus exhibition at the Siemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub, Factory of the Future (FoF) and Swinburne Institute for Space and Technology.

These three research centres explore new solutions to current technical energy challenges, accelerate the transition towards a sustainable energy sector, delve into digitalisation technologies and explore the latest advances in manufacturing automation.

In addition, they also explore  internationally competitive capabilities in astrophysics, aerospace, aviation, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence.   

Following this, the Premier is scheduled to meet with the Swinburne University vice-chancellor Professor Pascale Quester.

Also expected to be attend the meeting are chairman of the Swinburne Sarawak board of directors Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, senior deputy vice-chancellor (Academic) Professor Simon Ridings, deputy vice-chancellor (Research) Professor Karen Hapgood, pro vice-chancellor (Global Engagement) Dr Douglas Proctor, and the university’s senior management.

At 2 pm, the Premier will be meeting Sarawakian students studying at the university.

He will end his first day with a visit to the National 4.0 Industry (Latest Manufacturing) Testbed at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) at 3.15 pm.

On Thursday, the Premier is scheduled to travel to Sydney, Australia, where he will deliver a keynote address titled ‘The Powerhouse of Green Economy in Asean’ at the Asean Australia Business Forum at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney at 11.30 am.

Later, he and several other panellists will share their views in a special discussion touching on ‘Energy Transition and Green Economy’. 

The Premier will then witness the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Australia Malaysia Business Council (AMBC) NEW and the Sarawak Australia Business Council (SABC).

The Asean Australia Business Forum, running from Aug 29 to 30, focuses on topics related to agriculture, food security, renewable and green energy with a special focus on decarbonisation, digital transformation, tourism economy as well as medical and health resilience.

Accompanying Abang Johari on this visit are Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abg Hipni, Sarawak State Financial Secretary Datuk Seri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar and chief political secretary to the Premier Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.   

The Premier is scheduled to return to Kuching on Aug 30.