by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 2: The Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) Sarawak Chapter is calling on Sarawakian science experts to join as voluntary ASM Associates, highlighting the critical role of the platform in addressing national and regional Science, Technology, Innovation, and Economy (STIE) issues.
ASM serves as a vital hub for multidisciplinary experts to collaborate with government agencies, driving impactful solutions for Sarawak’s scientific and technological advancement.
In a statement, ASM fellow and Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute (TROPI) director Datu Dr Lulie Melling highlighted the crucial role of the ASM in strengthening regional scientific collaboration and promoting evidence-based policy making in the State.
She cited the Second International Conference on Tropical Sciences, held in Kuching on Oct 16 to 17, 2024, as a prime example of how ASM can collaborate with the Sarawak government to address pressing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation and habitat degradation.
Recognising the growing demand for scientific expertise in Sarawak, she emphasised the urgent need to increase ASM’s membership.
The ASM Sarawak Chapter recently held its inaugural general meeting at the Sarawak TROPI in Kota Samarahan. This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter in advancing STIE in Sarawak.
The meeting was chaired by Dr Lulie, together with the executive committee which includes deputy chairman Professor Dr Mohd Hasnain Md Hussain (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak), secretary Ts. Dr Daniel Tan Lee Tung (Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus) and assistant secretary Dr Latifah Omar (Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus), who attended the meeting online.
The meeting also served as an opportunity to invite Sarawakian experts to apply for voluntary membership as ASM Associates enabling greater participation in shaping the scientific landscape of the region.
Looking ahead, the ASM Sarawak Chapter said it will roll out a series of science and innovation-driven initiatives that align with the ASM 2025 theme: ‘Forward Together: Reconnecting Regional Stakeholders in Transforming the STIE Ecosystem’.
These efforts will empower researchers, innovators and policy makers to drive sustainable development and scientific excellence in Sarawak.
The establishment of the ASM Sarawak Chapter is a critical step towards strengthening scientific leadership, policy engagement and cross-sector collaboration — positioning Sarawak as a regional hub for science, technology and innovation.
The hybrid meeting was attended by 50 experts, including 18 physical and 30 virtual participants from across Sarawak. Among them were ASM Fellows, members of the Young Scientist Network (YSN) and Top Research Scientists Malaysia (TRSM). Representatives from leading universities – including Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak Branch, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (SUTS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu Campus and Sarawak Skills Development Centre – actively participated in the discussions.
The meeting also saw participation from top researchers from Sarawak Energy Bhd, the Malaysia Pepper Board and the Clinical Research Centre in Kuching, reflecting a broad spectrum of expertise committed to help strengthen the STIE ecosystem in Sarawak. – DayakDaily
