KUCHING: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) is set to establish a Research Endowment Chair with the full support of the Sarawak Government, marking a strategic move to strengthen the university’s research ecosystem and elevate its international standing.
UNIMAS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit, said that Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has agreed to form the Chair in three key areas: Biodiversity Nexus, Biomedical Engineering and Bioinnovations, and Sarawak History.
“We will have further discussions with the Premier to support UNIMAS’ research initiatives, aiming to raise our international profile.
“This aligns with his vision for UNIMAS to become a globally recognised university,” he told a press conference following a courtesy call to Abang Johari at Kompleks Satria Pertiwi here on Thursday (August 7).
The delegation was led by UNIMAS Board of Directors Chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Sulong Matjeraie.
Ahmad Hata also revealed plans for a new, globally oriented, futuristic, and transdisciplinary institute to complement the Research Endowment Chair.
In addition to this, he informed the Premier about the ongoing efforts to establish the UNIMAS Faculty of Law, which is currently under consideration by the Ministry of Higher Education and awaits a letter of support from the Sarawak Government for federal approval.
He further highlighted the university’s significant rise in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, climbing from the 401st position in 2023 to the 101-200 range this year.
He also mentioned that the UNIMAS Convocation Ceremony will be held from November 3 to 6, with Abang Johari, as the university’s Pro-Chancellor, set to attend on November 4 to celebrate the graduates.
“We will have further discussions with the Premier to support UNIMAS’ research initiatives, aiming to raise our international profile.
“This aligns with his vision for UNIMAS to become a globally recognised university,” he told a press conference following a courtesy call to Abang Johari at Kompleks Satria Pertiwi here on Thursday (August 7).
The delegation was led by UNIMAS Board of Directors Chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Sulong Matjeraie.
Ahmad Hata also revealed plans for a new, globally oriented, futuristic, and transdisciplinary institute to complement the Research Endowment Chair.
In addition to this, he informed the Premier about the ongoing efforts to establish the UNIMAS Faculty of Law, which is currently under consideration by the Ministry of Higher Education and awaits a letter of support from the Sarawak Government for federal approval.
He further highlighted the university’s significant rise in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, climbing from the 401st position in 2023 to the 101-200 range this year.
He also mentioned that the UNIMAS Convocation Ceremony will be held from November 3 to 6, with Abang Johari, as the university’s Pro-Chancellor, set to attend on November 4 to celebrate the graduates.