KOTA KINABALU: Business and economic researchers are urged to view Sabah and Borneo as a living laboratory for conducting research that has both academic value and practical impact.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Sabah has immense potential through its rich natural resources, strategic location, diverse society and the talents of its younger generation, all of which must be fully harnessed.
“Potential alone is not enough. We must ensure that all these strengths are translated into economic opportunities, improved well-being for the people and sustainable development,” he said when opening the inaugural Borneo International Conference on Business, Education, Economics and Management (BICBEEM) here on Wednesday (Oct 7).
Hajiji, whose speech was delivered by his assistant minister Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun, said research must be more closely aligned with the actual needs of society, industry and the State’s development.
“In the context of Sabah, there are many issues and opportunities that can be explored through collaborative research,” he said.
He said these include rural economic development, digital transformation, youth entrepreneurship, smart agriculture, community-based tourism, environmental sustainability, small and medium enterprise development, and enhancing the competitiveness of the local economy.
Earlier, he said Sabah wants to see more collaborative research, exchanges of knowledge and expertise, industry participation, innovation development, entrepreneurship programmes and initiatives that directly benefit the community.
Hajiji welcomed strategic collaboration among the Institute for Government and People Cooperation (IKRAR), North Borneo University College (NBUC), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and the Borneo Universities Consortium (KUUB) in organising BICBEEM 2026.
“This is an example of how networks between the government and institutions can be strengthened to expand the sharing of knowledge, expertise and experience," he said.
