By Karen Bong
KUCHING, April 28: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) anticipates establishing six new Endowment Chairs with industry partners, carrying an estimated value of RM60 million, as it strengthens efforts to translate research excellence into economic impact.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit said the initiative reflects the university’s growing emphasis on deep technology development, commercialisation, and strategic collaboration with industry players.
“As Sarawak progresses under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), Unimas has aligned its academic and research directions to support this transformation,” he said when speaking at the 16th International Unimas Engineering Conference (EnCon 2026), which was officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, at a hotel here today.
On research impact, Ahmad highlighted the Unimas Water Centre (UWC) continues to lead in addressing critical water challenges, with several of its researchers listed among the world’s top two per cent scientists by Stanford University and Elsevier in 2025.
“Through a Public-Private Research Network grant, UWC is supporting clean water initiatives for rural communities, while collaborating with PETRONAS on bio-inspired turbines for marine hydropower,” he said, adding that the centre also works closely with government agencies to strengthen rural water systems and flood mitigation.
Meanwhile, the Research Centre for Construction on Peat and Problematic Soils (COPPS) has developed key construction guidelines applied in major infrastructure projects such as the Coastal Road Network and the Second Trunk Road.
Its work includes landslide risk mapping using machine learning and long-term road settlement studies in collaboration with the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak.
“Academically, COPPS is the only Malaysian group consistently publishing in the world’s top three geotechnical journals, with its offshore pipeline-soil research contributing to the ISO 19901-4:2025 design standards, which are relevant to Sarawak’s carbon capture and storage initiatives,” he said.
Beyond infrastructure, Ahmad said Unimas is also advancing healthcare innovation through its Centre for Bio-Innovation and Biomedical Engineering (BBEC), which develops biosensors and biomedical devices aimed at improving healthcare outcomes.
“These research efforts are increasingly being translated into economic value,” he said, noting that Unimas currently has five spin-off companies, with two more expected this year.
He noted that the conference, first held in 2007, has evolved into the flagship annual event of the Faculty of Engineering, serving as a vital platform to foster academia-industry collaboration and drive impactful research for societal benefit.
“This commitment to nurturing future talent is also reflected in this conference. The International Science and Engineering Expo (i-STEEx) continues to provide a platform for young innovators to showcase their ideas and contribute to Sarawak’s talent pipeline,” he said.
The event also witnessed the conferral of the title of Adjunct Professor upon Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) chairman Dato Ir Yusuf Abdul Wahab in recognition of his extensive contributions to the Malaysian construction industry and engineeering excellent.
Additionally, 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged between Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and various international universities, as well as national and global organisations, including key engineering industry players.
Minister of Utility and Communication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi and Unimas Board of Directors chairman Tan Sri Panglima Sulong Matjeraie were among the distinguished guests present. — DayakDaily
