Sarawak explores possible research synergies with University of Cambridge

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Dato Sri Michael Manyin (sixth right) presents a memento to Prof Chris Lowe, Head of the Cambridge Academy for Therapeutic Sciences.

 

CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom: The Sarawak state government is exploring possible synergies in carrying out biomedical research between state research agencies and the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Over the past two days, a delegation from  the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research, led by its Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, held meetings with prominent members of the University’s faculty and visited Cambridge’s Science Park.

There, Professor Chris Lowe who heads the Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences (CATS) presented an overview of the prominent university’s development and achievements in biomedical research.

Prof Michael Edwardson of the Department of Pharmacology, Head of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapeutics Prof Ian Wilkinson, and Dr Andreas Bender of the Department of Chemistry, each presented their key respective groups’ research interests.

Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) Clinical Research Centre head Dr Alan Fong and Sarawak Biodiversity Centre CEO Dr Yeo Tiong Chia presented an overview of their respective agencies’ research and development activities and areas of possible collaborations to Cambridge.

The Minister and delegation also met with the university’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Institutional and International Relations Prof Eilís Ferran, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research Prof Chris Abell, Head of Public International Partnerships Office (SPO) and Stephen Davison.

The delegation also visited the Cambridge Science Park, where they were given an overview of the Park’s development, vision and activities by its Director Dr Jeanette Walker.

The Minister also extended an invitation to Cambridge to visit Sarawak to assess the partnership opportunities between research agencies and institutions in Sarawak and Cambridge, and subsequently forge a formal collaboration between the University and the state government.

Also in the state’s delegation were Assistant Minister for Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datu Sudarsono Osman, Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr Abdul Rahman Deen, Yayasan Sarawak Director Azmi Bujang, Director of Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute Dr Lulie Melling and CEO of CRAUN Research Yusup Sobeng.