Australian varsity explores opportunities in SDC

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KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) yesterday received a courtesy visit from Southern Cross University (SCU) Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie from Australia.

Mackenzie was welcomed by SEDIA Chief Executive Datuk Dr Mohd Yaakub Johari at Wisma SEDIA, and was later brought on a site visit to the Sabah Agro-Industrial Precinct (SAIP) in Kimanis.

She was given a briefing on the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), its initiatives and the opportunities that await prospective investors, and also a presentation on the SAIP project.

The presentations were followed by a dialogue on potential opportunities in connecting ties between SEDIA and SCU, in terms of research, development and investment opportunities.

During the site visit to SAIP, Professor Mackenzie was given a tour of the facilities, while being briefed on the current development of the project and the initiatives available there.

One of the current major developments in SAIP is the 1Agro-SAIP Training Programme, established and implemented with the aim of empowering technopreneurs in the agri-based industry by giving them the necessary exposure and transfer of knowledge, especially on processing of agri-food and Specialty Natural Products (SNPs).

Designed to be a part of the SAIP pre-incubation initiative, the programme targets locals aged between 18 and 60 years who are interested in becoming local entrepreneurs in agro-businesses.

Experienced speakers and industry representatives in various sectors, including pharma-herbs, Controlled Environment Farming (CEF), post-harvest handling technology, agro-organic and agro-food industries, business and marketing through E-Commence, and bio-science and biotechnology are brought in to share their experience and expertise with participants.

Following up in the incubator stage is the 1BizLink programme, meant to assist aspiring entrepreneurs initiate businesses revolved around downstream agri-products, especially those that utilise science- and technology-based advancements.

Through the SDC, the 1BizLink development programme functions by assisting new entrepreneurs and start-ups, unlocking the potential in SMEs to further accelerate their growth, as well as linking businesses to the SDC economic clusters.

The programme also provides a Hot Desk service, whereby ready staff are available to provide hands-on assistance to facilitate and mentor entrepreneurs through discussion, entrepreneurial training and brainstorming sessions.

A delegation from SEDIA had previously paid a courtesy visit to Southern Cross University, to discuss on possible entry points for collaborative efforts within the SDC.

During the brief visit to the SCU campus at Gold Coast, the delegation had met with Pro Vice Chancellors Chris Patton and Professor Neal Ryan, and were then introduced to the SCU Heads of School, identifying areas where there could be potential for prospective links between the two organisations, such as transfers of knowledge, research co-development and perhaps even a branch campus in Sabah.

The meetings with these school and faculty representatives allowed the SEDIA group to witness first-hand the activities undertaken by a learning institute that shares focus in relevant fields such as agriculture, biotechnology, education, environmental management and tourism.