By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 3: Governor of Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar hopes the courtesy visit by 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics laureate Professor Pierre Agostini will pave the way for stronger ties between the international scientific community and local institutions.
He said closer collaboration would create more opportunities for knowledge exchange, research partnerships and the development of local expertise, particularly in strategic fields such as quantum technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and high-technology industries.
Agostini, a world-renowned physicist, was awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering contributions to attosecond physics, which have enabled scientists to study the movement of electrons within atoms and molecules over extremely short timescales.
During the meeting, Wan Junaidi expressed confidence that Sarawak had significant potential to emerge as a centre of excellence in science, research and innovation, in line with the State’s aspirations to develop a new economy driven by high technology, renewable energy and skilled human capital.
“The progress of a state or country should not be measured solely by its economic strength, but also by its people’s ability to acquire knowledge, develop specialised expertise and produce their own technological discoveries and innovations,” he said in a statement after receiving Agostini and a delegation from the Malaysian Institute of Physics (MIP) at Astana Negeri Sarawak this morning.
The delegation was led by MIP president Professor Tou Teck Yong.
In this regard, Wan Junaidi stressed the importance of strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, while fostering a culture of research, critical thinking, creativity and intellectual exploration among Sarawak’s younger generation.
“I hope Agostini’s achievements would inspire local students, academics and young researchers to pursue scientific knowledge and make discoveries that would benefit society and the country,” he said.
On human capital development, Wan Junaidi said investment in education, research and talent development was a crucial long-term strategy to ensure Sarawak could produce its own scientists, researchers, inventors and innovators.
He expressed hope that Sarawakians with expertise in science and technology who were currently working overseas could be encouraged to return and contribute to the state’s development.
“As such, strategic approaches must continue to be strengthened to attract and retain skilled professionals through career opportunities, research facilities, a conducive working environment and competitive remuneration packages commensurate with their expertise,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of establishing professional career pathways that would allow scientists, engineers, doctors, researchers and technology specialists to reach the highest levels in their respective fields without having to move into administrative positions to secure recognition, promotion or better remuneration.
“Technical excellence, research achievements and innovation should receive recognition equivalent to that accorded to excellence in management and administration.
“Such an approach is important to curb the outflow of skilled talent and ensure Sarawak continued to have a strong pool of highly qualified professionals to meet its future development needs,” he said.
Wan Junaidi further called for improvements to laboratory facilities, scientific equipment and research and development (R&D) infrastructure to meet the demands of modern research.
He also welcomed greater participation from local corporations and industries through research funding, provision of facilities, talent sponsorship and strategic partnerships with universities and research centres.
He said integrated cooperation between the government, higher education institutions, the research community and the industrial sector was essential to building a robust science and technology ecosystem.
“This would help translate research outcomes into practical innovations, quality employment opportunities and economic growth for Sarawak,” he added.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Wan Junaidi conveyed his appreciation to Agostini, Tou and the entire delegation for the courtesy visit. — DayakDaily
