Khairuddin (right) symbolically officiating the launching of five UCTS Research Centres and a Research Laboratory in conjunction with UCTS Research Centre Symposium & Postgraduate Colloquium 2019.
SIBU: University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) will continue to play its role in discovering, elucidating and evaluating new knowledge, ideas and technologies via research and development activities.
Its vice chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Khairuddin Ab Hamid said these activities are essential in driving the future of society and humanity.
UCTS, he pointed out, is moving towards achieving these objectives by setting up research centres and labs that cover the areas of computing, robotics, built environment, engineering and sustainable development.
“The centres and labs being set up under the umbrella of UCTS’s Centre for Research and Development will focus on sustainability and conservation efforts, which align well with Sarawak’s vision to become a developed state,” he added.
He was speaking at the launching of five UCTS research centres and one research laboratory in conjunction with UCTS Research Centre Symposium & Postgraduate Colloquium 2019.
The ceremony was held at UCTS yesterday.
The five UCTS research centres are Advanced Centre on Sustainable Socio-Economic Development (AceSSED), Drone Research and Applications Centre (DRAC), Centre of Research for Innovation & Sustainable Development (CRISD), Centre For Borneo Regionalism And Conservation (BORC) and Centre Of Excellence In Wood Engineered Products (CEWEP) while the research laboratory is on Collaborative Research on Advanced Cybersecurity Knowledge (CRACK).
Meanwhile, Khairuddin said their commitment is best exemplified by their proactive role in researching and developing highly recyclable and biodegradable materials, renewable energy resources like mini-hydros, solar, biomass or making extensive use of wood-based building and household materials to replace highly toxic polymers and plastics, and developing timber-based housing concepts that fans and cools buildings naturally instead of depending on air-conditioners, especially in locations that have no access to electrical power.
“The advancement of digital technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, IoT, VR/AR and drones can empower us and provide us new capabilities and innovative ideas in our sustainability and conservation efforts, apart from providing connectivity and accessibility to underserved communities to improve their socio-economic opportunities.
“And this also is in line with our state government’s Digital Economy Strategy, which promotes digitalisation as a key strategic underpinning technology to drive our industrial and economic sectors,” he said.
Earlier on, the director of Research Centre & Development, UCTS, Prof Dr Salfarina Abdul Gapor, in her welcoming speech said the objective of the UCTS Research Centre Symposium is to publicise and showcase UCTS’s new research centres and research lab to the public.
“In the preparation of setting up these centres and lab, we have taken into account all aspects, including current needs and trends, our own expertise, industrial partners’ contribution and government policies.
“Besides, it is to provide precious time as all partners are here and this will be a good opportunity for UCTS researchers and industrial partners to meet and plan future activities,” she said.
Salfarina said it is also to inspire students, young researchers and inculcate research and publication cultures in UCTS.
“The symposium is also to appreciate researchers and their partners on their achievements – this will be deliberated further by the head of research centres during the forum and showcased at the respective exhibition booths,” she added.