By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 7: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) is set to establish a Research Endowment Chair focusing on three strategic fields of biodiversity nexus, biomedical engineering and bioinnovations, and Sarawak history with the full support of the Sarawak government, in a bold move to strengthen its research ecosystem and elevate the university’s global standing.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report, Unimas vice-vhancellor Professor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit said Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has given his endorsement for the initiative, which is aimed at positioning Unimas as a globally recognised institution of higher learning.
“We will engage in further discussions with the Premier to seek continued support in enhancing research excellence at Unimas, in line with his vision for the university to become a global player.
“God willing, we had a meeting earlier and the Sarawak government under his leadership will allocate funding to help propel us to the international stage,” he told reporters after paying a courtesy call on the Premier at the Satria Pertiwi Complex today.
The courtesy delegation was led by Unimas Board of Directors chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Sulong Matjeraie.
Ahmad Hata further revealed that the Research Endowment Chair initiative would include the establishment of a new institute built on a global, futuristic, and transdisciplinary concept.
In the same meeting, he also updated the Premier on the progress of establishing the Unimas Faculty of Law, which is currently under consideration by the Ministry of Higher Education at the federal level and now awaits a letter of support from the Sarawak government for final Cabinet approval.
He added that the university had also reported a remarkable improvement in its Times Higher Education (THE) ranking, having jumped from position 401 in 2023 to the 101–200 bracket this year, a testament to UNIMAS’ growing international reputation.
Meanwhile, the Unimas Convocation Ceremony will be held from Nov 3 to 6, with the Premier, who also serves as the university’s Pro-Chancellor, scheduled to attend on Nov 4 to celebrate the graduates.
Also present during the courtesy visit were deputy vice-chancellor (Academic & International) Professor Dr Fitri Suraya Mohamad Hapni Joblie, assistant vice-chancellor Associate Professor Ts Noraziah Datuk Abdul Wahab, chief digital officer Professor Dr Wan Hashim Wan Ibrahim, and Endowment and Waqf Division director Dayang Nor Hajijah Awang Daud. — DayakDaily
