KUCHING: Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, received a courtesy visit from 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics laureate Professor Pierre Agostini and a delegation from the Malaysian Institute of Physics (MIP) at the Astana Negeri Sarawak on Tuesday.

The visit served as a platform to exchange views on developments in science and technology, the importance of scientific research and talent development in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

During the meeting, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi stressed the importance of strengthening education, research and talent development to ensure that Sarawak is able to produce more highly skilled and internationally competitive scientists, researchers and innovators.

He said the progress of a state depends not only on economic strength, but is also driven by the ability of its people to master knowledge, develop expertise and produce their own technological discoveries and innovations.

In this regard, he stressed the importance of strengthening STEM education and nurturing a culture of research, critical thinking, creativity and the pursuit of knowledge among Sarawak's younger generation.

Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi also expressed confidence that Sarawak has great potential to emerge as a centre of excellence for science, research and innovation, in line with the Sarawak Government's aspiration to develop a new economy based on high technology, renewable energy and skilled human capital.

He also welcomed closer collaboration between local institutions of higher learning and international universities and research institutions to broaden knowledge transfer, expertise development and joint research, particularly in strategic areas such as quantum technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and high-technology industries.

At the same time, he highlighted the importance of providing professional career pathways that enable scientists, engineers, doctors, researchers and technology specialists to reach the highest levels in their respective fields of expertise without having to move into administrative roles to obtain better recognition and rewards.

According to him, technical excellence, research and innovation should be given recognition equal to that accorded to excellence in management and administration, in order to help attract and retain expert talent in Sarawak.

He also stressed the need to upgrade laboratory facilities, scientific equipment and research and development (R&D) infrastructure, while encouraging more active involvement from the industry sector through research funding, talent sponsorship and strategic collaboration with institutions of higher learning.

Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi also hoped that the success of scientific figures such as Professor Pierre Agostini would inspire Sarawak's students, lecturers and young researchers to continue exploring knowledge and producing discoveries and innovations that benefit society and the nation.

Professor Pierre Agostini is among the recipients of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering contributions to attosecond physics, which enable scientists to study the movement of electrons in atoms and molecules over extremely short timescales.

Also present were MIP President Professor Tou Teck Yong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Sarawak Datu Adana Jed, Deputy Permanent Secretary Caroline Cleophas Joseph and Head of Division Dr Cheong Yaw Liang. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Ezzah Syafiqah
Photos: Shahril Haqim
Translator: Uilson Ng