KUCHING: Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) recently received a visit from a delegation from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI).
SBC stated that the delegation was led by Deputy Secretary General of Planning and Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Enculturation Dr Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu.
The centre said MOSTI plays a national role in supporting STI and human capital value-adding in the industrial sectors and developing the economy in Malaysia.
“Recently, MOSTI launched the National Biotechnology Policy (DBN) 2.0 which focuses on Agricultural Biotechnology and Food Security; Health Care and Wellbeing; and Biotechnology in Industrialisation and Circular Economy in line with Malaysia’s aspiration to be a high-technology country by 2030.
“Hence, DBN 2.0 will strengthen the existing biotechnology ecosystem and be the catalyst to resolving the country’s challenges related to food security, pandemic management, and climate change crisis through local biotechnology solution methods,” it said today.
Throughout the visit, SBC said there were discussions covering the views and approaches in pursuing sustainability-oriented industries as well as focusing on the importance of community-related projects in Sarawak namely LitSara® and AdenoSara® Project.
It said the delegates from MOSTI were also introduced to the Algae Cultivation Facility that showcased its utility as feedstock, biomass, biofuel and health supplement.
“We hope that the delegates will explore potential areas of collaborations for mutual benefit in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” it added.
Meanwhile, Dr Nagulendran stated that the last time he came to SBC was in 2014 and eight years later it was really great to see the tremendous progresses made.
“The work at SBC is inspiring as their work transcends working with communities to cutting edge technology.
“It showcases the value of our biodiversity and traditional knowledge – our heritage that we collectively need to treasure, protect and use wisely. Well done SBC,” he said.
On a separate occasion, the Associate Director Programmes and Partnerships of Temasek Foundation Shruti Kumar paid a visit to Sarawak Biodiversity Centre yesterday.
SBC stated that the Temasek Foundation supports a diverse range of programmes that uplift lives and communities in Singapore and beyond.
“The foundation’s programmes strengthen capabilities and advance science and nature for a sustainable environment,” it said.
SBC added that it is looking forward to opportunities to work with Foundation on nature-based projects in the future.
