Sarawak has inaugurated its first Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Digital Research Conference at the International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS26), focusing on transforming academic research into practical applications. The event, held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, was opened by the Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
The conference highlights Sarawak’s commitment to integrating research with industry and public services, supported by RM26m in translational research funding and 357 projects. The CoE aims to foster collaboration between researchers and industry, featuring projects on cancer risk awareness, precision irrigation, and waste management.
The CoE’s network includes six Sarawak-based universities and five international partners, such as the National University of Singapore and the University of Melbourne. This collaboration aims to enhance research in areas like digital health, smart cities, and green energy.
Yang Berhormat Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn emphasised the importance of developing local technological capabilities, stating, “We must also build the capability to understand them, improve them and develop solutions of our own.” The conference continues with discussions on building a connected research ecosystem and opportunities for researchers to present their work.
IDECS26, organised by the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation, Sarawak Multimedia Authority, and Sarawak Information Systems, serves as a platform for global collaboration in the digital economy. The event concludes on 6 October, with further discussions on research collaboration and industry engagement.
