(Miri, 23rd) — The Sarawak State Library (Pustaka Negeri Sarawak) and the Malaysian Innovation Foundation (Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia, YIM) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), joining hands to promote grassroots innovation and community-driven entrepreneurship, providing a more comprehensive development platform for local innovative talent.
The Sarawak Library established a “Makerspace” in Miri in 2018, aiming to encourage students and the public to enhance learning and creative abilities through courses in coding, handcrafts, digital literacy, and other technical skills. Between 2019 and 2021, the makerspace continued to grow, adding 3D printing, Arduino programming, basic robotics courses, and began collaborating with schools and community groups to expand service coverage.
In 2023, the makerspace was further upgraded to be included in the “Ruang Daya Cipta (RDC)” program under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI), and was expanded to cover advanced technology fields such as drones, virtual reality (VR), Internet of Things (IoT), and prototyping equipment.
Since its establishment on October 20, 2008, YIM, as a platform promoting social and grassroots innovation, has assisted over 6,000 innovators nationwide in connecting with funds and resources, committing itself to facilitating the development of social innovation.
This signed memorandum of understanding aims to clarify the areas and directions of cooperation between both parties in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, focusing on supporting grassroots innovation and community-driven entrepreneurial programs, empowering local talent to develop creative concepts, prototype, and turn creativity into real-world solutions.
The memorandum also clearly defines the responsibilities of both sides, including the appointment of project coordinators or points of contact responsible for coordinating activities, information sharing and promoting communication between both parties to ensure smooth collaboration.
According to the agreement, both parties will take necessary measures in accordance with current laws, regulations, and national policies to actively promote relevant cooperation, fully implement the makerspace@RDC framework, and explore innovative resources and entrepreneurial opportunities.
