Lee (ninth left) and Wan Abdillah (10th left) show the signed MoU, as Adeline (seventh right) and others look on.
MIRI (April 15): BLD Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Curtin University Malaysia to strengthen collaboration in sustainable plantation research, innovation, and workforce development in Sarawak.
The partnership aims to bridge academia and industry through joint research initiatives, sustainability projects, internship placements and industry engagement opportunities for students.
The MoU was signed by Wan Abdillah Wan Hamid, the director of BLD and its parent company BLD Plantation Bhd, and Curtin Malaysia pro vice-chancellor, president and chief executive Prof Vincent Lee Chieng Chen.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at Curtin Malaysia’s campus here, BLD Group director Adeline Lau said the collaboration reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth.
“This MoU is a strategic commitment to innovation, sustainability and talent development. By partnering with Curtin Malaysia, we are bringing together industry experience and academic expertise to develop practical solutions for the future of sustainable agriculture,” she said.
She added that BLD hopes to position itself as a platform for Curtin students to build meaningful careers while contributing to Sarawak’s future.
“We want Curtin students to see BLD as a place where they can build meaningful careers and contribute to Sarawak’s future.”
Adeline said the partnership was crucial as the plantation industry faces increasingly complex challenges that require innovation, research and talent beyond traditional growth approaches.
She noted that issues such as optimising land use while preserving the environment, implementing sustainable practices without compromising commercial viability, and reducing carbon footprint require collaborative solutions.
“This partnership is about bridging the gap between our plantation operations and academic research, while investing in the future workforce of Sarawak,” she said, adding that BLD aims to provide students with internships, industry projects and direct engagement with its operations.
She also emphasised that the collaboration reflects a shared responsibility towards sustainability, noting that the company’s long-term success is closely tied to environmental and community well-being.
Meanwhile, Lee said the MoU marked an important step in strengthening ties between academia and industry.
He welcomed the partnership with BLD, describing it as a longstanding contributor to Sarawak’s agricultural and plantation sector with a strong track record in growth and sustainability.
“With approximately 35,000 hectares of agricultural land across Miri and Sibu, BLD has played an important role in the palm oil industry and the broader economic development of the state,” he said.
Lee added that the collaboration will align Curtin’s strengths in education and research with BLD’s industry expertise, providing a strong framework for student internships, talent development, scholarships, and professional training programmes.
He also highlighted the MoU’s focus on research and innovation, particularly in addressing challenges in plantation and environmental sectors through practical, industry-driven solutions.
In addition, both parties are exploring further collaboration through two Memoranda of Agreement (MoA), including BLD’s contribution of a Total Organic Carbon Analyzer to enhance research in environmental monitoring and greenhouse gas reduction, as well as an industry-funded research project on enhanced weathering of mineral soil in Sarawak.
“These initiatives reflect our shared vision to nurture talent, drive innovation and support sustainable development in Sarawak and beyond,” said Lee.
Also present were Curtin Malaysia deputy pro vice-chancellor Prof Tuong-Thuy Vu; Graduate School dean Prof Ong Fon Sim; BLD Plantation Bhd director Nasir Khan Istiar Hussain Khan; BLD general operations manager Chuo Kuong Ping; general manager Joseph Lau; senior manager Rita Tan; agronomist Shaiful Hambali; and BLDP Sustainability Committee representative Lim Chen Tzen.
