Sarawak signs MoU with Japanese university in connection with forest carbon initiatives

KUCHING (July 24): The Sarawak government represented by the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National University Corporation Kyushu University (Kyushu-U) in Fukuoka, Japan yesterday.

In a statement, FDS said the MoU seeks to facilitate bilateral collaboration for research activities including the assessment of forest ecosystem functions as part of forest assessments to be carried out under forest carbon initiatives in Sarawak.

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

FDS director Datu Hamden Mohammad said the department and Kyushu-U share a common goal 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 said.

Kyushu-U dean Prof Dr Miki Nakao said the university is committed to providing scientific knowledge necessary for informed policy-making.

“I believe that our collaboration with the Sarawak government will significantly contribute to this effort,” he said.

Following the signing ceremony, the parties joined a symposium organised by Kyushu-U.

Six papers were presented by Hamden and FDS senior executive foresters, as well as senior lecturers from Kyushu-U and Kyoto University Japan.

The papers from FDS included forest policy and good governance of the Sarawak government, especially the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 on forest sustainability.