KUCHING: Sarawak is ready to be a strategic partner to engineering institutions under the Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and the Pacific (FEIAP) in developing practical solutions to address real development challenges and benefit the people and the Asia Pacific region.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said Sarawak is open to working with institutions, universities and industries from the FEIAP network in developing pilot projects that can be tested, measured, improved and expanded.

"Let's start with something practical: a challenge, a partnership and an experiment. Let's identify real engineering challenges, bring together institutions, universities and industries from across FEIAP, and test solutions that can be measured, improved and replicated. Sarawak is ready to explore such partnerships," he said.

He said this while speaking during the opening ceremony of the FEIAP General Assembly and Convention at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Thursday.

The Sarawak Premier said that the collaboration is important in ensuring that engineering expertise can be translated into practical solutions that meet the needs of the community and can be adapted elsewhere.

According to him, Sarawak's position in Borneo also gives the state an opportunity to help connect knowledge and expertise throughout ASEAN and the Asia Pacific region.

In the meantime, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari said the FEIAP network can also give wider exposure to Sarawak's young engineers through relationships with professional institutions, industry and counterparts from across the region.

He said, the opportunity can help them gain experience, build confidence and develop the international perspective needed to face future economic needs.

The FEIAP General Assembly and Convention brings together representatives from 25 member economies and serves as a platform for exchanging ideas, building networks and exploring opportunities for collaboration in the field of engineering.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, Sarawak Minister for Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Ministers, heads of departments and other dignitaries. -UKASnews

Prepared By: Nur Nabilla
Photo: Ibanez Jeffery Guang
Translator: Nerissa Sia