KUCHING – More French companies could be working on research projects with Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus in future following a meeting between the ambassador of France to Malaysia and the university.
Christophe Penot, who visited the Australian branch campus recently, said his embassy in Kuala Lumpur could help to identify companies which may be interested in such a venture.
Swinburne Sarawak is currently working on a joint research project with Bachy Soletanche, a France-based geotechnical and civil engineering company.
Penot said the collaboration between the two entities “is very typical of the kind of approach that we want to take with our business here in Sarawak and Malaysia in general”, and hopes that it could be replicated by French companies hoping to partner with the university.
“There is certainly potential for more French companies to work in infrastructure in Sarawak,” he said, adding that projects involving civil engineering such as bridges and tunnels would be of interest.
During his meeting with the senior management team of the university headed by Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Professor Janet Gregory, the ambassador said that in order to be efficient in Malaysia, “we have to create some local value and this is one of the ways we can do it”.
“This could also be the case with research or R&D and innovation that French companies could fund research with you, and create value in Malaysia and then benefit from itself in the following steps. I think it’s a good way.”
“Another way to do this is to create some association with Malaysian partners and transfer some technologies or know-how.”
The third way, he said, is for French companies to finance training programs in the field of engineering as is already commonly done by French companies such as Airbus, and that it has worked well in Peninsular Malaysia.
“I think there is potential in that too in Sarawak.”
The possibility of Swinburne Sarawak doctoral students pursuing a joint PhD program with French universities was also discussed. This matter had been brought up during a visit by French embassy officials to the campus in November last year.
“This would open up opportunities for our students to spend some time in France. That is one of our research approaches. We want our students to gain experience in other countries and the best way to learn is to really go out there,” said Associate Professor Wallace Wong, Director of Swinburne Sarawak’s Research and Consultancy Office.