KUCHING – In a groundbreaking move to advance Sarawak’s digital healthcare landscape, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Novugen Pharma Sdn Bhd, and Borneo Medical Centre (BMC) have established a partnership to develop a real-time tracking system designed to boost hospital efficiency, resource management, and service delivery.
The strategic collaboration was formalised at Swinburne Sarawak on 5 November 2025 through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed by Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of Swinburne Sarawak; Mr Saif-ur-Rehman, Vice President of Commercial Operations at Novugen Pharma; and Dr Law Siew Hor, Medical Director of BMC.
Witnessing the signing were Professor Dr Ida Fatimawati Adi Badiozaman, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), Swinburne Sarawak; Mr Victor Chan, Associate Business Unit Director, Novugen Pharma; and Dr Kenneth Tan, General Manager, BMC.
The event, held at The Hive, Swinburne Sarawak, was graced by The Honourable Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Sarawak, who also delivered the keynote address.
A group photo taken at the MoA signing ceremony. Seen are (front row, from sixth left) Mr Victor Chan, Mr Saif-ur-Rehman, Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho, The Honourable Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Professor Dr Ida Fatimawati Adi Badiozaman, Dr Law Siew Hor, and Dr Kenneth Tan.
The MoA establishes a collaborative framework for a research and development (R&D) project that brings together Swinburne researchers and industry experts to co-develop a real-time tracking solution aimed at enhancing operational visibility within hospitals – optimising workflows, boosting staff productivity, and improving patient experiences.
The system will be piloted at BMC, with R&D funding fully supported by Novugen Pharma. Upon successful implementation, the technology will be adopted as part of the hospital’s daily operations, setting a new benchmark for digital transformation in healthcare.
In his address, The Honourable Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian praised the initiative as a forward-looking example of Sarawak’s growing innovation ecosystem.
“Healthcare innovation is no longer just about medical treatment – it’s about efficiency, data, and the patient journey. This partnership between academia, the private sector, and healthcare providers shows how research can bring real impact to our communities,” he said.
The Honourable Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian delivers his speech at the event.
Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho reaffirmed Swinburne Sarawak’s commitment to high-impact research that addresses real-world needs and supports Sarawak’s digital economy transformation.
“This MoA represents more than collaboration – it’s a commitment to innovation that changes lives. Through this partnership, our researchers and students will play an active role in developing practical, technology-driven solutions that advance healthcare delivery in the region,” he said.
On Novugen Pharma’s strategic vision, Mr Saif-ur-Rehman underscored the company’s drive to accelerate innovation through meaningful partnerships.
“We believe in empowering research that bridges technology and healthcare. Supporting this R&D initiative reflects our vision to deliver sustainable, scalable solutions that enhance healthcare outcomes through digital transformation,” he shared.
Dr Law Siew Hor said the partnership aligned with BMC’s vision to redefine patient care through technology and collaboration.
“At BMC, we believe healthcare goes beyond hospital walls – it’s about building connected systems that support both clinicians and patients. This initiative reflects our commitment to making care more efficient, data-driven, and human-centred through innovation and trust,” he said.
The initiative forms part of Swinburne Sarawak’s Research Masterplan 2030, under its Digital Health focus area, which leverages data analytics and emerging technology to improve public health and healthcare delivery.
A group photo taken with attendees at the MoA signing ceremony. Seen are (front row, from left) Dr Law Siew Hor, Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho, The Honourable Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Mr Saif-ur-Rehman, and Professor Dr Ida Fatimawati Adi Badiozaman.
Also present at the ceremony were representatives from Swinburne’s research clusters and postgraduate students.
The MoA marks a significant milestone in Sarawak’s journey towards smarter, tech-enabled healthcare – demonstrating how strong industry-academia partnerships can turn research into real-world solutions.
By uniting science, innovation, and compassion, the collaboration positions Sarawak to lead Malaysia’s next wave of digital health transformation, setting the stage for smarter hospitals and better patient outcomes.
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