By Emellia Tamoh
KUCHING, July 9: Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) aims to make the state a leading research, development and innovation hub through the setting up of Sarawak Centre of Excellence for Digital Economy.
SMA general manager Dr Zaidi Razak said the objective will be made possible through collaboration and partnership with local and leading international universities, as well as technology companies.
As part of the agenda, the agency today inked Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with six global technology companies namely International Business Machines (IBM), General Electric, Huawei, Honeywell, Keysight Technologies and Fusionex during the International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) 2019 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching today.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg witnessed the signing of the MoUs that also included Universiti Malaya.
“This will accelerate Sarawak’s research and innovation agenda in digital economy to a world standing. Having access to these world technology companies’ tools and platforms will enable Sarawak to achieve its mission,” he said in a statement.
The centre, to be based at the Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (Centexs) Kuching campus, will provide researchers and startups access to industry standard digital and data science platforms and tools for research, development, innovation and commercialisation.
“Furthermore, the centre will also serve as a platform for the partners to showcase their capabilities and technologies, promoting their partnership with the state government, as well as investment opportunities for outcomes from research and startups,” he continued.
Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Tan Sri Dr James Masing, as well as State Secretary Tan Sri Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani, were present. — DayakDaily
