KUCHING: The Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) is proposing an industry award for top construction students as part of a broader partnership with Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus to strengthen talent development and sustainable infrastructure delivery.
Sarawak JKR Director, Datuk Dr Cassidy Morris, announced the proposal after officiating the signing of a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) between both parties at Swinburne here today (April 22).
“We are proposing to introduce an industry award for outstanding Swinburne graduates in construction-related fields, and discussions are ongoing with the university on the implementation.”
The MoU formalises collaboration in academic research, talent development and practical infrastructure delivery, aimed at bridging academic knowledge with real-world industry needs.
Cassidy said the partnership reflects a strategic move to strengthen synergy between academia and industry, particularly as Sarawak advances its development agenda under the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“We are no longer just building roads and bridges, we are building a sustainable future for Sarawak.
“This collaboration connects academic innovation with the front-line reality of public works.”
Under the agreement, both parties will undertake joint research and pilot studies focusing on infrastructure challenges, with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles embedded across project planning, design and lifecycle management.
The collaboration will also open up opportunities for student placements and internships with Sarawak JKR, providing industry exposure while strengthening the state’s pipeline of skilled graduates.
Meanwhile, Swinburne Sarawak Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Lau Hieng Ho, said the university’s research capabilities and international networks would support the partnership’s long-term impact.
“Our researchers and graduates are already engaged in areas directly aligned with infrastructure planning and lifecycle management, and this partnership allows us to translate that into real-world outcomes,” he said.
Cassidy added that the MoU also supports broader efforts to modernise infrastructure governance through ESG reporting, digital systems and emerging technologies, including the use of artificial intelligence for risk management and project monitoring.
Over the next five years, both institutions expect the partnership to generate research outputs, professional networks and practical solutions that deliver long-term value to Sarawak.
