Kuching – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus welcomed Professor Jugdutt (Jack) Singh, Chief Scientist and Chief advisor, Sarawak Multimedia Authority to its campus last Monday 6 December. Prof Jack Singh was received by Pro-Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Hieng Ho Lau, and the Executive Dean of Research Professor Ida Fatimawati Binti Adi Badiozaman.
The purpose of the working visit was as a familiarization on the many research activities conducted by the Australian branch campus university, and that these researches align with Sarawak’s mission towards a digital economy including the importance of research in solving real-world problems.
Through the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy (2018 – 2022) and the more recent Post-Covid Development Strategy 2030, these strategies have enabled research to play a significant role in solving real-world problems, bridging the gap between academic, industry and the community while working towards building a developed Sarawak by 2030.
The meeting also discussed priority research areas that could steer Sarawak towards a digital economy specifically on clean and sustainable energy including hydrogen, green energy, blue carbon, and blue energy.
According to Professor Ida Fatimawati, Swinburne University research initiatives are geared towards producing innovative, high-impact and engaged research. “Our researches are done in key areas that advance the economy, health and wellbeing of our community,” she shared.
The University provides a stimulating and innovative environment in which its researchers work, and where each research centre aims to cultivate strength in a researcher’s specialist areas by concentrating resources in one place, she added.
During the meeting, the role that Swinburne Sarawak plays in the state’s research ecosystem, including in knowledge transfer programs and living testbeds for niche research areas of digital health, smart city, and immersive education, as well as its potential to be a PhD hub, was also discussed.
The hour-long meeting was also attended by the Associate Deans of Research for the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science and Faculty of Business, Design and Arts, the Centre Directors from the University’s four research centres, and representatives from the Centre of Excellence (COE) Key Lab Working Group. Supported by Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation, COE is an alliance of seven national and international private and public universities that are actively involved in the research and development within the digital sectors. These include the areas of Big Data and data analytics, cyber security, Internet of Things (IoT), software development, automation and robotics, advanced visualisation, blockchain and financial technology.
Swinburne University is reputed for creativity and excellence in applied research and is committed to the highest ethical, professional, and scholarly standards. Its School of Research, research centres and research clusters are led by experienced researchers.
For more information about Swinburne, visit www.swinburne.edu.my or its Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter (@Swinburne_Swk) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).