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UC strengthens collaborative partnerships in Malaysia

19 November 2025

The University of Canterbury has partnered with the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation to foster research and innovation across borders.

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Photo caption: SDEC CEO Dato Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto Osman (2nd left) and UC Executive Director Paul Ballantine (3rd left) exchanging the MOU.

The Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) and Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC), have formalised a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaborative opportunities in advancing research, digital innovation, and entrepreneurship between Sarawak and New Zealand.

The MoU was signed during a meeting held at SDEC Corporate Office in Kuching, which brought together representatives from both parties to discuss potential areas of cooperation in digital research, technology exchange, and innovation driven initiatives.

This strategic partnership aligns with Sarawak’s aspirations under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, focusing on research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Through this MoU, SDEC and UC will:

a) Explore opportunities for collaboration in research and development and innovation enabling digital economy;

b) Promote and nurture digital innovation across Sarawak and New Zealand; and

c) Develop innovative partnership models to enhance a thriving technology research and deep tech ecosystem. 

“Our partnership with SDEC marks the next chapter in a long-standing relationship between UC and Malaysia,” said Professor Paul Ballantine, Executive Dean of the UC Business School.

“UC believes strong international relationships create real local impact. By working together in digital innovation and education, we can build capacity and create meaningful opportunities for students, researchers, and communities in both countries to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy,” he added.

The MoU underscores the alignment of SDEC and UC’s goals to strengthen international collaboration and create lasting impact.

“This MoU reflects our shared vision to connect ecosystems and accelerate digital growth through research and innovation. We look forward to exchanging expertise, developing talent, and co-creating impactful solutions that will advance Sarawak’s digital economy,” said Dato Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto Osman, CEO of SDEC.

The partnership marks another important step in positioning Sarawak as a regional hub for digital innovation and talent, while strengthening global linkages that support the state’s goal of becoming a digitally advanced economy by 2030.

This article was shared with permission from SDEC.

ABOUT SDEC

The Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) is a wholly owned company of Sarawak Government. Since its incorporation in 2018, SDEC is mandated to accelerate the digital adoption across industries and to lead technological innovation towards transforming Sarawak into a Digital Economy Powerhouse. For more information on SDEC, please visit www.sdec.com.my.

 


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