By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 16: Sarawak is forging closer ties with Singapore to cultivate young talent and advance cutting-edge research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and semiconductor technology.
Speaking at the Sarawak Mega Fair 2025 in Suntec Singapore today, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg highlighted the complementary strengths of both regions: Singapore’s youth bring expertise in emerging technologies, while Sarawak’s young generation is being groomed to power the future digital economy and green energy sector.
“Singaporean youth already possess skills aligned with current economic trends, especially in AI. Students from NUS, Nanyang, and the polytechnics are immersed in these technologies. Likewise, Sarawak’s youth are being trained, and once the ecosystem is ready, they can collaborate more creatively,” he said in a TVS news report.
Abang Johari revealed that collaboration begins at an early stage, through secondary school and university exchange programmes.
“We welcome Singaporean students to visit Sarawak, and our students can learn in Singapore. This initiative was agreed upon with the former Deputy Prime Minister and the former Singapore Minister of Education, now Minister of Transport,” he added.
The initiative has also expanded to postgraduate research involving universities from both regions, particularly in biodiversity and emerging economic sciences.
“Research students from Singapore can collaborate with Sarawak universities to explore new economic fields, especially those linked to biodiversity. This not only advances academic development but also enhanced global university rankings through joint research publications,” he explained.
Abang Johari also outlined Sarawak’s ambitions in semiconductor innovation. The State, through its technology partner X-FAB, currently produces silicon-based analogue chips but is moving toward gallium wafers, materials better suited for AI-powered chips due to their high heat tolerance.
“AI relies on a chip’s ability to store and process vast amounts of data. As chips handle more data, they generate heat. Gallium wafers can withstand this better than silicon, making them ideal for next-generation AI technology,” he said.
The Premier emphasised that strategic collaboration between Sarawak and Singapore in research, workforce development, and technology will be crucial in building a robust digital economy and positioning both regions as hubs for AI and green technology in Southeast Asia.
“Together, we can create a vibrant ecosystem where talent, innovation, and technology converge to shape the future,” Abang Johari said. — DayakDaily
