KUCHING: The Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC) has funded 79 innovative projects worth RM16.6 million to address economic sectors and enablers outlined in the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Its general manager, Dr Peter Morin Nissom, said SRDC's agenda was to advance science and develop innovative technology to further economic growth and improve lives by providing research grants, and building facilities, as well as facilitating collaborations through its networks.
He said 58 per cent of the projects have been completed, while the rest were ongoing.
"A number of the projects have won national and international awards," he said at the Sarawak Research and Development Symposium here.
The symposium was opened by Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Amar Sim Kui Hian who represented Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Morin said the research grants typically required a transitional component, with SRDC facilitating public-private partnerships in the industry.
He added that next year SRDC would launch several new grants and programmes.
"Over the past few years, SRDC, together with its subsidiaries, Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) and SMD Semiconductor Sdn Bhd (SMD), have forged impactful partnerships with private and public sector agencies, as well as international research organisations.
He said SRDC welcomed experts to share their insights on vaccine development and the journey from research to commercialisation.
At the symposium, he expressed his gratitude that a number of experts had shared their knowledge and experiences on vaccine programmes and the semiconductor industry.
"Thus, in that context, we have assembled a panel of eminent innovators and inventors to share their experience and insights on moving from research or ideas to the market," he said.
However, he said, one major challenge in commercialisation was the difficulty academic research faced in transitioning from the academic realm into the market.
The symposium also witnessed the exchanges of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between SIDC and the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom, SIDC and Hilleman Laboratories of Singapore and between SMD Semiconductor Sdn Bhd and Curtin University Malaysia, Sarawak campus.
The MoU between SIDC and the University of Sheffield and SIDC with Hilleman Laboratories is on partnership for vaccine knowledge and technology transfer, while the MoU between SDM and Curtin University is on talent development.
Among those present at the opening of the symposium were state Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, SRDC board member Tan Sri Wilson Baya Dandot and former education, innovation and talent development minister Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong.