KUCHING: The Ministry of Education and Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Melexis Technology to design integrated chips.
The signing with the Belgium-based global supplier of micro-electronic semiconductor solutions yesterday was witnessed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who was on a week-long working visit to Europe and the United Kingdom.
The scope of the MoU includes cooperation in IC design and semi-conductor talent development in Sarawak as part of the state’s innovation and talent development programme.
As chip designer and solutions provider, Melexis Technology has been part of the existing XFab chips foundry at the Samajaya Free Industrial Zone that produced chips for use in wide-ranging applications, including in automobiles.
The scope of the MOU includes co-operation in IC design and semi-conductor talent development in Sarawak as part of the state’s innovation and talent development programme.
Abang Johari expressed his belief that climate change and the phasing out of combustion engines in automobiles would see the migration of chips’ designs to conform to the new needs of the energy transition market.
“Therefore the collaboration was important and a step in the right direction to enable Sarawak and the world at large to benefit from chip design development that might originate from Sarawak in the future.
“Sarawak is looking forward toward this collaboration not only to benefit both Sarawak and Melexis, but also the world,” he told the audience that included members of board of directors of Melexis, Sarawak Ministers and Deputy Ministers.
He added that talent development was also important in order to nurture a robust Research and Development (R&D) climate in chips design technology in Sarawak.
“As Sarawak, particularly Kuching, turns towards the development of an Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) powered by hydrogen, R&D would undoubtedly become a main feature of the new form of public transport,” Abang Johari said.
Earlier, the chairperson of Melexis Technology Françoise Chombar spoke to welcome the Premier and members of his delegation.
Among those present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Roland Sagah Wee In and his deputies, Datuk Francis Harden Hollis and Dr Annuar Rapa’ee.
Also present was the Ambassador of Malaysia to Belgium and Luxembourg and Head of Mission of Malaysia to European Union, Datuk Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani
The Premier and his delegation then proceeded to Port of Antwerp-Bruges where another MoU would be signed for the proposed development of a new port in Kuching.
