SIBU: University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) chairman Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee has pointed out the significance of scholarly writing and its contribution to the university’s ranking during the launch of the UTS Publisher’s 2024 book collection.
He noted the need for functions that encourage lecturers to engage in scholarly writing and publication.
He expressed a preference for transforming theses, especially from master’s and undergraduate programmes, into books to enhance the university’s academic output.
“As we target 25 per cent of our lecturers producing a book, it is preferable that every lecturer gets involved later on,” he said on Thursday (Jan 25).
With increasing student numbers, he stressed the importance of improving the university’s ranking to become one of the best choices for students.
The book collection launched consists of 11 influential works spanning diverse fields such as science and technology, business, and engineering.
Dr Annuar, who is also the Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, believes that these books contribute significantly to the state’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and equitable development in Sarawak.
He expressed confidence that the research presented in these books will pave the way for technological advancements that uplift communities, enhance accessibility, and contribute to societal betterment.
He also stressed the importance of fostering a culture of scholarly writing that actively contributes to the achievement of the state’s SDG.
Congratulating the authors for their works, he noted that these books would inspire intellectual curiosity and serve as beacons of hope for a sustainable future.
“Let us continue to champion the pursuit of knowledge, recognising its power to drive positive change and contribute to the global efforts towards a more just and sustainable world.
“As we celebrate the launch of these books, let us reaffirm our commitment to fostering a culture of scholarly writing and academic inquiry.
“It is through the collective efforts of researchers, educators, and publishers that we can continue to push the boundaries of human knowledge and pave the way for a brighter, more informed future,” he added.
Present at the launch were UTS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Khairuddin Ab Hamid, Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka Sarawak director Abang Haliman Abang Julai, UTS Publisher director Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Firdaus Abong Abdullah, and Kolej Laila Taib CEO Wong Kwong Lee.
