KOTA SAMARAHAN – Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) is reaffirming its role as a key driver for inventors and innovators by hosting the Festival of Innovation (FOI)@Sarawak X Pengerami Bup Borneo 2025. The event is scheduled to run from 22 to 26 October 2025 at the university’s DeTAR Putra Banquet Hall.
Adopting the slogan “Nyungkak Ubah Nengah Penemuan Meruan ng Innovysyen” (Elevating Change through Discovery and Innovation), the festival aims to galvanise higher education institutions, government agencies, and the wider community.
The goal is to firmly embed a culture of innovation and creativity in line with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
The UNIMAS Chancellor, Professor Dr. Ahmad Hata Rasit, stated that FOI@Sarawak serves as a vital platform for academics, researchers, and the community to showcase innovative and creative inventions.
He emphasised the university’s strong commitment to supporting an ecosystem of inventors, which also advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Sarawak Post-COVID Development Strategy 2030.
“We possess a wealth of research and innovation from university seminars, but the crucial step is transforming these into tangible solutions that benefit the community and the national economy,” he told the media on the event’s second day.
The festival programme is built around three core components: student innovation, community engagement, and avenues for capital raising.
It features exhibitions from various institutions, including a dedicated Creative Pavilion and the Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC).
A significant community segment will focus on leadership in governance, culture, and technology. This includes a Sustainable Development Goals pavilion and workshops designed to promote collaborative practices like the 5R principle and smart agriculture.
The event also strengthens the literacy and book industry ecosystem in Borneo under the theme “Negap Literacy, Nurturing Creativity”, with participation from 50 exhibitors and support from various local and national bodies.
