KUCHING: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg received a courtesy call from 2023 Nobel Prize laureate in Physics Professor Pierre Agostini at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Wednesday.

The courtesy call provided an opportunity to exchange views on advancements in science and technology, the importance of high-impact research and efforts to enhance human capital development in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The presence of the internationally renowned physicist also brought an academic and scientific dimension to the meeting, particularly in highlighting the importance of fundamental research as a driver of scientific discovery, innovation and future technological advancement.

Professor Pierre was among three scientists awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for their pioneering contributions to experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light to study electron dynamics in matter.

Research in attosecond physics enables scientists to observe and measure electron movements occurring over extremely short timescales, opening new opportunities to understand fundamental phenomena at the atomic and molecular levels.

Such research developments highlight the importance of fundamental scientific knowledge, specialised expertise and research capabilities in expanding the frontiers of knowledge and supporting the development of next-generation technologies.

Also present during the courtesy call were Sarawak Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and Sarawak Financial Secretary Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar. -UKASnews