Apace 2026: Seven strategic MoUs inked to boost Sarawak’s aerospace, tech capabilities

KUCHING (Jan 27): Seven memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were exchanged at the Asia Pacific Aerospace Conference and Exhibition (Apace) 2026 today, formalising a series of strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening Sarawak’s talent ecosystem, aerospace capabilities, digital sovereignty and advanced technology development.

The agreements involve state ministries and agencies, institutions of higher education (IPTs), training centres and private sector players across employment services, aerospace research, hydrogen-powered aviation, skills training, satellite-based intelligence and high-level technology education.

A key collaboration is between the State Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) and the Social Security Organisation (Socso), set to enhance graduates’ employability and expand the access to social protection via the MYFutureJobs platform.

This partnership will involve students from state-owned IPTs and the Yayasan Sarawak sponsorees registered under MYFutureJobs, alongside coordinated reskilling, upskilling and green workforce initiatives.

Several MoUs also focus on aerospace and aviation development.

The i-CATS University College has entered into separate collaborations with Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) and Turkish Aerospace Malaysia towards supporting research and development in next-generation aerospace technologies, as well as with H2 Energy Sdn Bhd on advancing hydrogen-powered drone applications for rural logistics, disaster response and emergency supply delivery.

Skills development and workforce readiness is also featured prominently where Sarawak Skills has signed agreements with Prima Tech Solution Sdn Bhd and Borneo Aerospace Sdn Bhd on the delivery of customised aviation training, promotion of advanced and urban air mobility technologies, and the groundwork for a future training facility focusing on low-altitude aviation and unmanned aerial vehicle operations.

In the digital and space technology domain, Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (Sains) has formalised a partnership with EarthEye Space Technologies Pte Ltd towards strengthening Sarawak’s capabilities in satellite remote-sensing, particularly synthetic aperture radar and optical imagery analytics, supporting evidence-based decision-making in areas such as infrastructure, environmental monitoring and disaster risk management.

Another MoU, which involves the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (Centexs), Tsinghua University and Asia Pacific Professional Development Sdn Bhd, see cover the collaboration in training, research and test-bed initiatives covering artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, green mining and quarrying, and aerospace-related technologies.

The partnership also provides structured pathways for Centexs graduates to progress into Tsinghua University award programmes.

The signing of the MoUs was witnessed by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg after the launch of Apace 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).