We are delighted to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) and The University of Sheffield. The formal exchange of memorandum took place in Sarawak on the 6th November 2024, witnessed by the Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Dr. Kui Hian Sim representing the Premier of Sarawak The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg. This partnership is set to strengthen ties between Sarawak and the UK, creating new opportunities in research, education, and global infectious disease control. Some key areas of collaboration include:
- Staff and student exchanges
- Collaborative research projects
- Teaching and university administration programs
- Joint efforts to raise awareness on infectious disease control
Professor Tuck Seng Wong from the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering said: “This MOU represents an excellent opportunity for both institutions to drive innovation and deepen our collective knowledge, enabling us to advance impactful research on infectious diseases critical to the Borneo region, an area often overlooked in global health efforts. My colleague, Dr. Kang Lan Tee, and I have been working closely with the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre for some time now, as SIDC is also a key partner of the UK-Southeast Asia Vaccine Manufacturing Research Hub.”
The Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC), a subsidiary of the Sarawak Research Development Council (SRDC) led by Drs. Peter Morin Nissom and Dr. Ivan Yap, emerged in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasising the need for enhanced pandemic preparedness. Established in 2020, SIDC is a beacon for research, diagnostic therapeutic development, medical equipment testing, and human capital development, centering around a state-of-the-art research centre, due to complete in 2026, featuring a GMP manufacturing facility and a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory.
