(Eastern Times; April 1, 2009)

KUCHING: Reserach and Development is an essential aspect in today's university for the leadership of tomorrow, said Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri George Chan yesterday.

Chan was officiating the signing ceremony on collaborative R&D pact between Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) at the Four Points by Sheraton.

Saying that if university students did not go into R&D, they would be losing out as unlike the old days when university students go for knowledge only.

He believed that with collaborations between universities and industries, such knowledge gained would be an added advantage to the students who would be able to further their careers.

Chan also urged industries especially the SMI to improve their management with IT so that they could be competitive in this modern era. Saying that the signing of the collaboration was a good sign, Chan said he would like SAINS to further explore the win-win situation in enhancing its business and corporate social responsibility.

Being the largest and well established ICT solution house in the State, he said it could play a significant role of national and global economic downturn to cooperate with and promote the competitiveness of local business especially the SMI.

"I forsee the growth in modern agriculture, high tech industries and renewable energy investments in the State rapidly prople the economy of Sarawak forward. SAINS can take advantage of the collaborative business model to meet the expected significant increase in demand for ICT solutions and services", he added.

Signed between Swinburne and SAINS, the MoU aimed to design and develop electronic devices to integrate and enhance equipment as well as software which were being developed or those currently used by the business community. Both jointly set up an electronics design and automation laboratory at the university School of Engineering and Science.

The laboratory would be used by researchers for the design and development of industrial prototypes necessary for demonstrating the feasibility of the projects that would be undertaken.