Curtin Sarawak continues to strengthen research capacities through strategic partnerships
Posted date:Miri – 1 November 2016 – The Faculty of Engineering and Science of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) continues to strengthen its research capacities with industries and other institutions.
The Faculty had initiated discussions with the National Sports Institute (ISN) Kuching and Miri Satellite Centres, University Malaysia Pahang, Agilent Technologies, SIRIM Measurement Technologies and Vitrox Technologies, on collaborations which will significantly enhance its research and knowledge acquisition in the coming years.
Since the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the ISN in April 2015 for development of automated systems to gauge and monitor the performance of athletes and ultimately enhance their performance, a series of meetings have been held with ISN’s Kuching and Miri centres.
The university has also started a collaboration with ISN to develop a visual-based computer-aided monitoring system (VCAMS) funded by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI).
Future planned research projects involving both ISN satellite centres in Sarawak include fundamental studies on the enhancement of diving athletes’ performance and a computer-assisted coaching system. The project will be undertaken by the Curtin Sarawak Sports Engineering and Technology team led by Dr Garenth Lim King Hann.
Apart from the project with ISN, Dr Lim is also currently heading a separate Curtin Sarawak team in initiating a collaborative research project in automation and robotics with ViTrox Corporation Berhad.
ViTrox Corporation actively engages with students and alumni of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of Curtin Sarawak’s Faculty of Engineering and Science through industrial talks and providing internship and job placements.
Meanwhile, the Faculty’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), are discussing a potential partnership that will enhance the research capacities of both institutions through the exchange of postgraduate staff and students, and collaborative research in mechanical engineering as well as sports engineering and technology.
The collaborative team comprises Dr Muhammad Mat Noor, Professor Rizalman Mamat, and Hazman Abdul of UMP and researchers from the Curtin Sarawak Faculty of Engineering and Science led by its Dean, Ir. Professor Lau Hieng Ho.
Yet another potential collaboration is the Bio-Process Technologies Research Cluster led by Dr John Lau Sie Yon with Agilent Technologies and SIRIM Measurements Technology Sdn Bhd. The collaborative project aims to extract bio-active ingredients and bio-energy from palm oil biomass.
The goal of this collaboration is to produce competent and employable graduates; enhance and drive research to meet current market demands; support local industries and communities through technical services and talent development; and jointly set up a teaching lab for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Curtin Sarawak’s research strengths are centred around its three teaching faculties and Curtin Sarawak Research Institute (CSRI). By providing an environment that encourages investigation, Curtin Sarawak has been successful in attracting world-class academics and researchers, as well as graduate research students.
For more information on Curtin Sarawak, visit its website at www.curtin.edu.my, its Facebook page (CurtinUniversitySarawakMalaysia), Twitter profile (curtinsarawak), YouTube channel (CurtinUniSarawak), or Instagram (curtinsarawak)
Dr Lim (far right) with other Curtin Sarawak staff and ISN representatives
