Sarawak to sponsor PhD studies overseas to build semiconductor talent, says Premier

KUCHING (Feb 4): Sarawak’s push into the semiconductor industry will begin with targeted investment in high-level human capital, with the state government planning to sponsor Sarawakians for doctoral studies in advanced semiconductor research overseas.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Sarawak government will send three Sarawakians to pursue PhD studies at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, marking an early step in building a specialised talent base to support the state’s long-term semiconductor ambitions.

He said the selected candidates, who will have either industry experience or postgraduate qualifications, will be bonded to serve the state upon completing their studies, ensuring that expertise gained overseas is channelled back into Sarawak’s industrial development.

“After that, we will send more because semiconductor technology is developing very rapidly and this effort cannot stop,” he told a press conference after witnessing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) exchange ceremony between SMD Semiconductor, the University of Bristol, and Yayasan Sarawak at Satria Pertiwi Complex here.

Abang Johari said Sarawak’s semiconductor strategy has begun attracting international interest, citing positive feedback following his keynote address at a business forum in Indonesia attended by participants from Western countries and the Middle East.

“They appeared quite excited and impressed with Sarawak’s semiconductor policy because it is something new.

“In fact, they expressed interest in working with us to promote new technologies as drivers of economic growth,” he said.

He noted that Sarawak had explored chip-related technologies earlier during his tenure as Minister of Industrial Development, and that the state is now in a stronger financial and strategic position to move towards its own chip production phase.

“With the financial capability we have today, Sarawak can move further into advanced technology development, including producing chips,” he said.

Abang Johari revealed that the current focus is no longer limited to silicon but has shifted towards new materials such as gallium, which require specialised expertise, including processing from raw materials through to wafer production.

“From raw materials to gallium processing, then producing wafers, and subsequently chips―all of this is done in stages,” he said.

Earlier, the MoU exchange was represented by SMD Semiconductor chief executive officer Shariman Jamil, University of Bristol academic director and REWIRE project lead Prof Martin Kuball, and Yayasan Sarawak director Datu Mohamad Junaidi Mohidin.

Also present were State Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, and his deputy ministers Datuk Dr Annuar Rapa’ee and Datuk Francis Harden Hollis; Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel; and State Financial Secretary Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar.