Korean scientists keen to collaborate with Sabah

Pic: badirbio.com

A group of scientists from the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) paid a courtesy call to Institute for Development Studies, Sabah, (IDS) yesterday.

IDS Executive Director cum CEO Datuk Mohd Hasnol Mohd Ayub met the visitors led by KRIBB president Dr Oh Tae Kwang. Also present was a member of IDS Board of Directors, Datuk Nancy Ho. KRIBB is a Korean government research institute dedicated to biotechnology research.

Their research on biotechnology covers broad areas from basic studies to fundamental understanding of life phenomena. Their research includes new drug discovery, novel biomaterials, integrated biotechnology and bio-information.

In his briefing to IDS, Dr Oh stated that since its existence KRIBB has carried out a number of research and development (R&D) activities and related projects in bio-science and biotecnology. Their R&D was done in joint effort with other research institutes, academic institutions and businesses at home as well as abroad.

Dr Oh expressed his pleasure for being able to extend this collaboration to IDS.

Hasnol welcomed the move by KRIBB. He said both IDS and KRIBB should explore further on detailing out the collaboration to benefit both parties, in particular the governments of Sabah and Korea.

He suggested for KRIBB to look into the possibilities of exploring research in biotechnology, particularly related to the greening of the environment and producing downstream products from Sabah’s abundant natural resources. As a commitmment to the collaboration, KRIBB has extended an invitation to IDS board members to visit their research centre in Dae Jon City, Seoul Korea in September this year.

This is in conjunction with the Bio Korea 2013 International Convention which will be held from September 11 to 13 in Korea.

Source: Borneo Post

Read More

Musa: RM703mil invested in commercial seaweed cultivation

KOTA KINABALU: Investments in commercial seaweed cultivation in Sabah has, todate, amounted to RM703 million, providing jobs to 13,000 people, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

He said this was made possible by the burgeoning seaweed industry in the northern and eastern coasts of Sabah.

“In these areas, waters are ideal for seaweed cultivation and this crop, traditionally consumed by coastal communities, has now been identified as an important component of the National Key Economic Area for Agriculture,” he said in his opening speech last night at the International Conference on Food Science and Nutrition.

Musa said biotechnology, which was poised to drive the next wave of knowledge-based industries, was a powerful tool in addressing food security and hunger.

“Biotechnology can be used to boost supply of safe, nutritious and affordable food,” he said.

In this respect, he hoped there would be more scientific discoveries and innovations, including in the biotechnology sector, to improve crop yield and enhance the food sector. — BERNAMA

Source: http://www.sabahtoday.com/?p=8503

Green  Sabah says:There is a high potential for the Seaweed industry, and its great that the Sabah government is supporting smallholders in this industry. Hopefully the biotechnology will work to improve the food security to prevent our people from going hungry.

Read More