By Dayak Daily Team
KUCHING, May 21: Ten scientists from the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) have been selected to participate in the ‘Enabling Industrial Transformation in Sarawak Through Research Infrastructure Harmonization Fellowships’ programme at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia for a year.
SIDC chairman and Sarawak’s Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, emphasized that the program highlights the close cooperation between Australia and Malaysia in strengthening the knowledge-based economy through scientific diplomacy.
In a statement highlighted by TVS, Dr Rapaee elaborated that the programme will provide an opportunity for the people of Sarawak to keep pace with new advances in science and technology, especially in the healthcare sector.
He noted that the one-year programme is offered to developing countries to study and research the professional development practices of Australia, contributing to their own development, prosperity, and resilience.
One of the participants, SIDC chief executive officer Dr Ivan Yap Kok Seng, expressed his excitement about the programme.
He believes it will further deepen collaboration with Murdoch University in areas such as infectious disease monitoring, precision medicine, and artificial intelligence.
Murdoch University’s Joint Director of Research and Innovation Office, Dr Sze How Bong, added that this programme is a stepping stone towards establishing advanced research capabilities in Sarawak by 2025.
“This scholarship will deepen the existing collaboration and enable both parties to work towards the establishment of the Ali Wallace Joint Research and Training Center at Murdoch University,” he said. — DayakDaily
