New Zealand’s Canterbury University explores potential collaborations with Sarawak

KUCHING (Sept 26): The University of Canterbury (UC) in Christchurch, New Zealand is exploring potential collaborations with Sarawak.

A UC delegation led by vice-chancellor Cheryl de la Rey is currently here and has met with several government-linked companies to discuss cooperation.

“The delegation had visited Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation, Petros (Petroleum Sarawak Berhad), and Sarawak Biodiversity Centre over the past two days,” UC Kuching Alumni ambassador Dato Sri Alex Ting Kuang Kuo disclosed after hosting a UC Alumni gathering here yesterday.

He opined UC has much to offer in terms of ideas, research, and educational opportunities, which could benefit various Sarawak organisations.

“I think that further undergraduate and postgraduate training in the university in a wide range of fields is a fantastic opportunity for Sarawak as well as for the University of Canterbury,” he said.

According to him, such collaboration could help Sarawak in meeting its development goals.

“I see that our Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) wants to double the state’s GDP (gross domestic product) in seven years.

“And therefore, the state needs a lot of this help in order to achieve the goal,” he said.

He shared that 15 UC Kuching alumni have donated generous amounts to the annual UC Kuching Alumni City scholarship of NZD$10,000 (RM25,931) to a deserving student.

“This scholarship not only changes lives but also strengthens the bonds between Kuching and UC,” he said.

There are currently some 350 UC alumni in Kuching.

Ting called on both recent graduates and long-standing members to step forward and organise activities that foster stronger relationships within the community.

Also present at the gathering was New Zealand honorary consul for Sarawak and Petros non-executive chairman Tan Sri Hamid Bugo.