Algae research to fuel economic growth

KUCHING: Recognising the significance of research as a driver of economic growth, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak is currently expanding its education initiatives related to algae.

According to Associate Professor Dr Juferi Idris, the Deputy Rector for Research and Industrial Linkages, this undertaking aligns with the Sarawak government’s focus on algae-related matters.

“We are actively researching how rural communities can cultivate algae to increase their income,” he said.

Dr Juferi emphasised that the research is in line with the Sarawak government’s needs and that UiTM Sarawak maintains close communication with the state government.

“Our goal is to assist the state government in boosting the income of rural residents through knowledge transfer initiatives and education, particularly in renewable energy fields,” he added.

UiTM Sarawak has received substantial funding grants from the state government to support its research projects.

Meanwhile, Sarawak has made significant progress in exploring and producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from microalgae.

The state has also established two facilities, CHITOSE Carbon Capture Central Sarawak (C4 Sarawak) and a collaboration between SEDC Energy and PETRONAS in Demak Laut, to cultivate algae as a potential source of renewable energy.

Since 2020, UiTM Sarawak has signed a total of 46 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and memorandums of agreement (MoAs) with industry partners, universities, and colleges within and outside the country.

In the current year alone, the university has signed 18 MoUs, MoAs, and Letters of Intent (LoIs) with 11 universities and colleges in Indonesia, two in the United States, and one each in Italy, Austria, Singapore, and China.

Additionally, the university is a partner in seven consortia with ERASMUS+ Key Action 2 Capacity Building in higher education, undertaking various projects related to the digital economy since 2015.