Swinburne Sarawak champions inclusive innovation by bringing digital literacy and AI education to rural educators, senior citizens and underserved communities across Sarawak.
Here’s something we at Swinburne Sarawak believe deeply: digital innovation and AI shouldn’t just happen within university walls. Technology needs to reach the coffee shop owner learning to use QR codes, the grandmother wanting to video call her grandkids, and the rural teacher figuring out how to use AI in the classroom.
Every October 24, the world marks World Development Information Day, a UN initiative that highlights how access to information and technology leads to sustainable development. And honestly? This is exactly what gets us all excited at Swinburne Sarawak.
From Campus to Community: Digital Tech That Reaches Everyone
At Swinburne, we’re not just talking about digital inclusion, we’re making it happen. For example, the workshop we conducted in Bau brought AI training to over 30 rural educators as part of the Digitalising Bau initiative. There were no abstract lectures about artificial intelligence. Instead, we got hands-on, showing teachers practical ways to use AI in their classrooms right now.
As a result, the ripple effect is powerful. When rural teachers understand AI, their entire communities gain access to the digital economy. That’s the kind of impact we’re after.
No One Gets Left Behind in this Digital Age
Teaching Seniors to Navigate the Digital World
Here’s where it gets really interesting. Beyond educators, we’re also teaching AI skills to older adults through our Digital Technologies Seniors Programme. In fact, 76 seniors from nine organizations joined our youth cyber ambassadors for hands-on training on AI skills. As a result, the magic happened when generations met – seniors gained confidence with technology while young people learned patience and real-world mentorship.
As the Head of Department, Engineering, Science, and IT put it perfectly: “Artificial intelligence is no longer the future; it is already woven into everyday life, from healthcare and finance to communication. Yet, many older adults risk being excluded from its benefits or falling victim to sophisticated AI-driven scams.”
Clearly, Swinburne Sarawak is changing that narrative, one workshop at a time.
Research That Makes a Real Difference
Solving Real Problems with AI and Digital Solutions
Our Research Masterplan 2030 isn’t about publishing papers that sit on dusty shelves. Instead, we’re focused on AI-driven innovation that tackles actual challenges in healthcare, agriculture, urban development, and education across Sarawak. We’re not just talking about digital inclusion, we’re making it happen. For example, our research explores hydrogen and biomass energy. Moreover, these circular economy solutions make environmental sense.
Training Tomorrow’s Digital Leaders
To address this need, we’ve launched the Bachelor of Cyber Security and Bachelor of Data Science programs specifically designed to support Sarawak’s goal of becoming a regional digital transformation leader by 2030.
Building Digital Bridges, Not Just Degrees
Real Digital Partnerships, Real Impact
The digital divide isn’t just about internet access or fancy gadgets. Rather, it’s about knowledge, confidence, and opportunity. Our STREAM Team has reached nearly 2,000 rural students across Serian, Padawan, and Bau. They teach STEAM concepts. More importantly, they train teachers to sustain these programs long after we leave. That’s what community development looks like.
The Australian Connection That Works for Sarawak
As part of the Swinburne global network, we offer quality Australian education right here in Kuching. It costs about a third of studying in Melbourne. This isn’t about competing with our Melbourne campus. Rather, it is about making world-class education accessible to talented Sarawakians who want to stay close to home and contribute to our state’s development.
Where We’re Headed
World Development Information Day reminds us that information access drives development. However, at Swinburne, we know that it’s not enough to just provide the community with information. Instead, we need to ensure everyone, regardless of age, location or background, has the skills and confidence to use it.
As Swinburne Sarawak celebrates our 25th anniversary in 2025, we reflect on a quarter-century of meeting Sarawak and the community’s evolving demands. For 25 years, we’ve been here in Sarawak, not just as a university but as a committed partner in Sarawak’s development journey.
That’s why we’re committed to being more than just a university. We’re the bridge – between traditional communities and their digital futures, Sarawak of today and where it is going, and between students learning skills and communities solving real problems.
Every rural educator we train, every senior we empower with digital confidence, every partnership we build. These are the building blocks of an inclusive, innovation-driven Sarawak. Ultimately, development isn’t about having information. It’s about making sure everyone can access it, understand it, and use it to build better lives.
This blog was written in celebration of World Development Information Day 2024. Want to learn more about our community initiatives? Visit our website or connect with us on Facebook or Instagram.