Curtin Malaysia Researchers Awarded Grants to Advance Sarawak’s Green and Digital Developments
Researchers at Curtin University Malaysia have been awarded more than RM625,000 in funding through the Yayasan Sarawak Research Grant 2025 and the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) Strategic Collaborative Research Grant (SCRG) 2024. This funding will support various research initiatives focusing on sustainable development relevant to Sarawak’s Post-COVID Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), which emphasizes green growth and the digital economy.
Funding for Sustainable Bio-Jet Fuel Production
Under the Yayasan Sarawak Research Grant 2025, Ir. Ts. Professor Stephanie Chan, who heads the Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering, received RM127,936 for her project aimed at producing sustainable bio-jet fuel from black soldier fly larvae using an innovative microwave catalytic process. Her team includes Dr. Jibrail Kansebo, Associate Professor Law Ming Chiat, and industry partner William Hu from Mega BSF Sdn. Bhd. The project is positioned to contribute to Sarawak’s green energy objectives.
Utilizing Pineapple Waste for Circular Economy
Dr. Edza Aria Wikurendra, Chair of Research and Development at the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, was awarded RM122,064 for his research on utilizing pineapple waste to create value-added products, which aims to support a circular economy. His team, alongside Professor Tony Hadibarata and industry collaborators, underscores the importance of teamwork in advancing impactful research.
Cyber Defense Platform Development
In another initiative, Dr. Sivaraman Eswaran, a Senior Lecturer in Cybersecurity, secured RM227,190 from the SDEC SCRG 2024. His project intends to develop a cyber defense platform for Operational Technology and Industrial Control Systems to address rising cyber threats and enhance the security within Sarawak’s digital economy. His interdisciplinary team involves international scholars and industry experts.
Blockchain-Secured Federated Learning for Healthcare
Furthermore, Foad Motalebi, a Lecturer in Electrical and Computer Engineering, received RM147,900 for a project that focuses on blockchain-secured federated learning methods aimed at enabling early cancer detection across distributed healthcare networks. This project aims to enhance cybersecurity and healthcare innovation in Sarawak.
Commitment to Sustainable Research
Professor Vincent Lee Chieng Chen, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Curtin Malaysia, acknowledged the importance of these research achievements, suggesting they reflect the university’s commitment to impactful research in sustainability and digitalization. The outcomes of these projects are expected to significantly benefit the economic, environmental, and community landscapes in the region.
Collaborations for Sustainable Development
These developments highlight the strong collaborations between Curtin Malaysia and various sectors, including government and industry, reinforcing efforts towards sustainable development and digital transformation in Sarawak.
The information contained in this article is based on reports from Curtin University’s news sources.
