Sarawak Forest Dept, Japan’s Kyushu University sign MOU to enhance carbon initiatives

Hamden (second left) and Dr Miki (second right) pose for a group photo during the MOU signing ceremony in Japan on July 23, 2024.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 24: The Forest Department of Sarawak (FDS) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National University Corporation Kyushu University, Japan, to enhance academic collaboration and boost carbon initiatives.

The MOU was signed in Kyushu, Japan, on July 23, marking a significant step towards bilateral collaboration in forest ecosystem research and sustainability efforts.

It also intended to facilitate knowledge and skills sharing through capacity building, training for officers and students exchange programme, joint data analysis and enhancement of scientific analytic, joint publication of findings, enhancement of research competencies and any other areas of collaboration mutually agreed by the parties.

Kyushu University’s Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof Dr Miki Nakao reportedly said the university is committed to provide scientific knowledge necessary for informed policy making and he believes that the collaboration with the Sarawak government will significantly contribute to this effort.

Meanwhile, FDS director Datu Hamden Mohammad said the common goal of the MOU is to strengthen, promote, and develop project collaboration based on equality and mutual benefit.

“This partnership underscores our shared commitment to addressing global environmental challenges through research, education, and sustainable practices,” he stated.

Following the signing ceremony, the parties have taken part in a symposium organised by the National University Corporation Kyushu University, Japan.

Six papers were presented by the Director of Forests, Senior Executive Foresters of FDS and Senior Lecturers from Kyushu University and Kyoto University, Japan.

The papers from FDS have introduced in the international arena, among others, the Forest Policy and good governance of the Government of Sarawak especially the Sarawak Government’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 on forest sustainability. — DayakDaily