Univers, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation to Establish Malaysia’s First Net Zero Centre of Excellence

KUCHING, Malaysia, June 17 2025 – Global AI and IoT leader Univers has announced a landmark partnership with the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) to launch Malaysia’s first Net Zero Centre of Excellence in Kuching, Sarawak. The initiative is set to play a pivotal role in advancing Sarawak’s ambitions for a digitally empowered and low-carbon economy, in line with the state’s Digital Economy Blueprint 2030.

The agreement, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), will see Univers bring its global expertise in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and energy management to help accelerate Sarawak’s transition towards sustainability while nurturing digital innovation across the region.

The Centre will focus on three core pillars:

Advisory and Enablement: Providing digital strategy design and advisory services for businesses and public agencies, leveraging Univers’ international experience in deploying AI to support net zero pathways.

R&D and Innovation: Establishing Open Labs, Testbeds, and Living Labs to encourage research and co-develop intellectual property that addresses local challenges.

Commercial Deployment: Launching practical net zero projects across various sectors including energy, manufacturing, and hospitality, using AI-powered solutions to drive operational efficiency and emissions reductions.

“Sustainability is a journey built on data, collaboration, and action,” said Arun Poojari, Global Vice President of Univers. “We are bringing AI for Energy to the forefront — using intelligent systems to transition to a low-carbon economy and enable emerging regions like Sarawak to leapfrog toward a net zero future.”

The partnership is expected to support Sarawak’s broader efforts to integrate digital technologies into its key industries while building a skilled workforce capable of driving sustainable innovation. In addition to project implementation, the collaboration will explore joint training and skills-building programmes to nurture local talent and promote knowledge exchange.

At the signing ceremony, Dato Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto Osman, CEO of SDEC, emphasised the strategic significance of the collaboration:

“At SDEC, we exist with a designer’s mindset to connect people to opportunities, data to decisions, innovation to infrastructure. As a state-owned agency, our mandate is to orchestrate a resilient, inclusive, and future-facing digital economy that fits the aspirations of all Sarawakians.”

Sudarnoto added: “Sarawak is not dipping its toes into AI. We are using it right now. This collaboration is a significant step towards shaping a future where digital solutions are embedded in the way we design and sustain our built environment.”

The Net Zero Centre of Excellence is expected to serve as a regional model for how emerging economies can harness AI and digital innovation to accelerate climate action and economic development in tandem.