KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus successfully held its inaugural Industry-University-Community (IUC) Summit in conjunction with the 5th Swinburne Sarawak Postgraduate Research Conference (SSPRC) 2025 from 13 to 15 August 2025, bringing together over 200 participants from Sarawak and neighbouring regions to foster meaningful collaboration and knowledge exchange with the aim of translating research into real-world impact.
Themed “Beyond Boundaries – Unleashing Research to Enable Real-World Impact”, the summit was officiated by Dr Chen Shiun, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Corporate Development, Sarawak Energy Berhad, on behalf of The Honourable Datuk Dr Haji Hazland bin Haji Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak.
Delivering Datuk Dr Hazland’s opening remarks, Dr Chen emphasised that the summit’s theme was both timely and consistent with Sarawak’s aspirations for transformative, inclusive, and sustainable growth.
“It is crucial that Sarawak continues to harness the power of research, innovation, and collaboration to tackle the pressing challenges of our time, whether by advancing our transition to renewable energy, enhancing climate and environmental resilience, driving digital and green economy transformation, or fostering inclusive innovation that uplifts all segments of society,” he said.
He also commended Swinburne Sarawak for its consistent commitment to impactful, inclusive, and innovative research, as well as its leadership in cultivating a vibrant research ecosystem.
“Let us remember that research does not thrive in isolation – it flourishes through intentional, sustained collaboration. The presence of students, industry leaders, and community representatives together in this space sends a clear message: the future is built on partnership. When your ideas are grounded in real-world engagement, they have the power to create meaningful and lasting impact for Sarawak and beyond,” he added.
Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of Swinburne Sarawak, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to high-impact research and strong industry engagement, adding that the university was proud to create a platform where postgraduate researchers could share their work, exchange perspectives, and foster connections that span borders and disciplines.
“Let this summit be a space for dialogue, discovery, and new beginnings. May it spark partnerships that transcend boundaries and lead to real-world impact. Together, we have the power to turn research into reality,” he said.
Professor Dr Ida Fatimawati bt Adi Badiozaman, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) of Swinburne Sarawak, emphasised that the event demonstrated what can be achieved through collaborative vision and a shared commitment to local relevance and global excellence. She highlighted that the research clusters explored during the event reflected Sarawak’s wide-ranging development needs and demonstrated the depth of academic expertise across institutions.
“By connecting researchers from Sarawak’s universities with international collaborators and industry partners, we are laying the foundation for impactful, high-value research that advances the state’s priority areas, from clean energy and sustainable development to digital innovation, health, and resilient communities,” she said.
A student presents his research poster to attendees of IUC-SSPRC 2025.
Dr Elaine Yeu Yee Lee, organising chairperson of IUC-SSPRC 2025, said, “It’s good to see the active participation of the industry this time around. Students get to hear from the esteemed industry – their thoughts and their advice – that will improve their research. Once again, thank you to all who joined IUC-SSPRC 2025.”
Meanwhile, Director of Swinburne Sarawak’s School of Research, Ir Professor Basil Wong Tung Liong, said that this summit and conference offered everyone a remarkable opportunity to explore the dynamic interplay between theory and practice, as well as the world of ideas and the demands of industry.
“Let us not allow the ideas exchanged here to remain confined within the walls of this venue or the pages of conference proceedings. Instead, let them take root in projects, in research collaborations, in policy development, and in real-world applications,” he said in his closing remarks.
In addition to keynote sessions and panel discussions, the event also featured oral and poster presentations by students and delegates that spanned a diverse range of topics, as well as booth exhibitions by sponsors. A highlight of the event was the Swinburne Sarawak Research Excellence Award presentation ceremony, alongside individual awards recognising the best presenters of the summit.
For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website, Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram page (@swinburnesarawak), LinkedIn page (Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus), X page (@Swinburne_Swk), TikTok page (@swinburnesarawak), YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak), or Xiaohongshu page (@SwinburneSwk).