Sarawak RDC Holds Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) Signing, and Exchange of Documents ceremony with Partners
Published: Friday, 6 December 2019 Last Modified: Thursday, 12 October 2023Sarawak RDC, organised a memorandum of agreement (MoA) signing, and an exchange of document ceremony with its collaborators.
1. SIGNING OF AGREEMENT WITH CURTIN BIOVALLEY SDN. BHD
The Sarawak Research and Development Council (Sarawak RDC) signed an agreement with Curtin Biovalley Sdn. Bhd (CBV), to manage, operate and maintain the Sarawak Biovalley Pilot Plant located at Curtin University Malaysia Campus in Miri. Sarawak RDC was represented by Sarawak RDC council member, Minister of Education, Science, and Technological Research (MESTR), Dato Sri Michael Manyin anak Jawong, and the Sarawak RDC General Manager, Assoc. Professor Ts. Dr. Peter Morin Nissom, and witnessed by Dr Ivan Yap Kok Seng, the Deputy General Manager of Sarawak RDC. Signatories from Curtin Biovalley Sdn Bhd were the Directors of CBV, Dato Sri Fong Joo Chung, and Tuan Haji Azmi Bin Bujang, while Mr. Freddie Panau, witnessed the signing.
The objective of the Sarawak Biovalley Pilot Plant facility is to provide support for the development of new products, assist industries and provide pilot plant/incubator services. The signing of this agreement paves the way for the Curtin Biovalley company to manage, operate and maintain the facility (1) to support the development of new bio-based products and processes, (2) to provide R&D facilities to assist industries in phytochemical and bio-processes, high-quality testing and development facilities for industries in product analysis, product enhancement and quality assurance, and infrastructure and facilities for incubators, and (3) to execute contract research and training for the industry and research agencies as part of the Government’s strategy to develop Sarawak’s bio-economy. The duration of the agreement is 10 years.
2. EXCHANGE OF MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT DOCUMENT
The second ceremony was an exchange of documents between Sarawak RDC and the University of Cambridge. Representing Sarawak RDC was Sarawak RDC council member, Minister of Education, Science, and Technological Research (MESTR), Dato Sri Michael Manyin anak Jawong, and the Sarawak RDC General Manager, Assoc. Professor Ts. Dr. Peter Morin Nissom, while Cambridge University was represented by Professor Christopher Robin Lowe, the Director of Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences (CATS) at the University of Cambridge.
Sarawak RDC will collaborate with CATS in the areas of joint research and development projects, student and staff internships, and mobility exchange programme between Cambridge and Sarawak.
This Scientific Exchange Programme is a direct result of discussions held between the Chief Minister of Sarawak, YAB Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, and University of Cambridge officials during the visit to Cambridge in April of 2017 by the Chief Minister, to explore collaboration with the university in areas that are beneficial for the state’s development.
The agreement provides a framework to facilitate and expand science and technology cooperation between the two organizations, and provides a mechanism for critical research and development efforts that facilitate the exchange of scientific data and results, protect intellectual property rights, and establish partnerships between departments and institutes of Cambridge University and their counterpart research institutions in Sarawak. Expanded cooperation in science and technology will allow us to establish relationships between universities, researchers, and business leaders.
The signing of this agreement underscores the commitment by the Sarawak government, to the people of Sarawak, and their aspiration of achieving a developed and progressive state. It is one of a number of initiatives implemented following the establishment of the Sarawak Research and Development Ordinance in 2017.