Sabah ready to become a technology advancement hub
15 Oct 2024
Sabah is poised to become a hub for technological advancement by actively nuturing innovation, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.
He stated that the integration of technology and innovation is crucial for economic development.
Speaking at the launching of “Supercharger Sabah 2024” at the Islamic Center, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) on Tuesday, Hajiji emphasised that Sabah is committed to developing a future-oriented economy through innovation.
“In our efforts to propel the state forward, the state government has crafted a clear vision to ensure Sabah becomes a dynamic and competitive innovation hub in the region.
“An example of this effort is the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) framework, which focuses on three main pillars: the Agriculture, Industry and Tourism sectors; Human Capital and People’s Well-being; and Infrastructure Networks and Green Sustainability,” he said.
Hajiji highlighted that in the agriculture sector, the federal government allocated over RM33 million to Sabah in July to enhance food security. This funding is vital for optimizing land use to boost agro-food production.
“Initiatives like the Supercharger series, which emphasises food security, are essential to reducing our reliance on food imports. Therefore, in line with the National Food Security Policy, Sabah aims to improve self-sufficiency in food by promoting innovation in crop production, livestock and fisheries,” he added.
Hajiji also said that Sabah should empower modern technology in agriculture, such as smart farming and automation/mechanisation, to enhance yield and product quality, not only for productivity but also to ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
He noted that UMS has conducted various activities to assist industries and communities in Sabah through the commercialisation of their innovations and knowledge transfer.
“Notably, pioneering research such as ‘hybrid grouper’ and ‘monkey malaria,’ among others, has been carried out. The selection of the Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) UMS as a Higher Education Centre of Excellence (HiCOE) by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia is a point of pride for the people of Sabah and a testament to UMS’s excellent research and innovation,” he added.
Hajiji also mentioned that UMS has established a comprehensive ecosystem to strengthen research and innovation through the creation of four research clusters: Engineering and Technology; Medicine and Life Sciences; Environment and Applied Sciences; and Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities.
He noted that the establishment of the Innovation and Commercialization Management Center (ICMC) in 2021 has acted as a catalyst in facilitating UMS lecturers to commercialize their innovations.
On the Supercharger Series 2024 programme, Hajiji said it is a strategic initiative designed specifically to drive collaboration, engagement, and knowledge sharing within the Research, Development, Commercialisation, and Innovation (R&D&C&I) ecosystem.
According to him, the programme allows university spin-off companies, researchers, private sector entities, and agencies to collaborate, learn and address challenges together.
During the event, Hajiji witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between UMS Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Kassim Md Mansur and the Chief Executive Officer of Technology Innovation Park Malaysia (TIPM/MRANTI), Datuk Wira Dr Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff.
Source: Borneo Post
