BRISTOL: The Sarawak government through SMD Semiconductor is exploring strategic collaboration with partners in the United Kingdom (UK) to design world-class semiconductor chips and satellite technology systems.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the move is in line with its aspiration to launch its own satellite and marks a significant leap for Sarawak towards emerging as a high-value player in the global semiconductor, aerospace and space technology sectors.
He said the initiative would strengthen Sarawak’s focus on satellite utilisation, data analytics and the development of downstream applications with direct real-world impact, particularly in climate-related areas such as forestry, earth observation, disaster management, carbon tracking and maritime monitoring.
“To support this effort, we are exploring the development and launch of our own Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite with international partners, including the UK, to enhance data capabilities and improve telecommunications infrastructure, especially in rural areas.
“As such, the expertise of the University of Bristol in aerospace engineering and satellite technology is highly relevant to Sarawak’s aspirations,” he said.
He said this during the Sarawak semiconductor engagement session jointly organised by SMD Semiconductor and the University of Bristol at NCC on Tuesday (May 5) as reported by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
Abang Johari said Sarawak is also expanding its focus on aerospace, satellite technology and data-driven systems as part of its high-tech agenda.
He explained that such capabilities are crucial as future technologies will depend on the integration of chips, satellites and real-time Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based systems.
“Sarawak’s approach is practical and application-driven,” he said.
The high-level engagement session brought together more than 80 policymakers, researchers and industry experts from across the UK, further strengthening strategic collaboration in the fields of semiconductors, aerospace, space technology and data-driven systems.
A key highlight of the programme was a strategic engagement session themed ‘Semiconductors Enabling Future Technology’, co-chaired by Professor Martin Kuball, Academic Director and Project Lead at the University of Bristol (REWIRE), and SMD Semiconductor chief executive officer Shariman Jamil.
The event also witnessed two document exchange ceremonies, namely a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SMD Semiconductor, the University of Bristol and Yayasan Sarawak, as well as a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Yayasan Sarawak.
The programme also announced that an SMD Semiconductor engineer is among the first cohort of a four-year PhD programme at the University of Bristol under the Yayasan Sarawak scholarship, aimed at supporting talent development in advanced technologies.
The programme is also open to first-class Master of Engineering graduates from around the world, particularly Sarawakians, as part of efforts to develop the state’s semiconductor ecosystem.
The Sarawak delegation also visited the Isambard-AI supercomputing facility, gaining insights into how high-performance computing and artificial intelligence accelerate scientific and industrial breakthroughs, as well as their potential applications in Sarawak.
Also present were State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Legal, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali; State Financial Secretary and chairman of SMD Semiconductor Datuk Seri Wan Lizozman Wan Omar; and Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel.
