Sarawak govt pledges RM5 mln to support R&D with UTM

Abdullah (front row, right) presents the RM5 million mock cheque to Dr Ahmad Fauzi while Raja Zarith Sofiah (centre) looks on during the Royal Gala Dinner 2024 held in Putrajaya on Oct 19, 2024.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 20: The Sarawak government has pledged funds amounting to RM5 million to Johor’s Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) for research and development (R&D), becoming the largest contributor to the university’s total of RM6.4 million raised this year.

According to a press release by Sarawak Land and Survey Department (JTS), Sarawak’s RM5 million contribution will support R&D in areas crucial to the State’s future, including green economy, mining, geospatial studies, remote sensing, marine cadastre, climate change, urban and regional planning, disaster management, and membrane technology.

These initiatives are part of the JTS-UTM Satellite Laboratory collaboration, specifically tailored to Sarawak, aiming to contribute to the State’s Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

The symbolic RM5 million cheque was presented by Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Sarawak (MUDeNR) permanent secretary Datu Abdullah Julaihi to UTM Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, witnessed by Raja Permaisuri Agong Raja Zarith Sofiah who is UTM’s Chancellor, during the Royal Gala Dinner 2024 held at Marriott Hotel, Putrajaya on Saturday (Oct 19).

The Royal Gala Dinner celebrated donors supporting UTM’s R&D initiatives, acknowledging 39 contributing agencies, including state governments, professional boards, industries, alumni associations, banking institutions, and commercial corporations, which collectively raised RM6.4 million in 2024.

In his welcoming remarks, Dr Ahmad Fauzi expressed his gratitude to the Sarawak government for its generous support, commending the State’s leadership in leveraging cutting-edge technology for sustainable physical and economic development.

On Feb 3 last year, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg approved RM5 million for JTS to establish a research chair that focuses on climate change and green energy in collaboration with UTM. — DayakDaily