RSK supports sustainability drive with Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak
Singapore, 30 April 2024 – RSK has announced a new sustainability partnership with the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) in Malaysia.
This collaboration involves working on a range of sustainability projects with the Sarawak Government, with RSK drawing on its network of environmental and engineering professionals in more than 200 companies and on six continents.
One such initiative is a shoe-making artisanry course developed by Dodi Mohammad, from Tradisi Busana PR Sendirian Berhad, the publicist (Malaysia) representing world-renowned designer Prof Datuk (Dr) Jimmy Choo OBE. The course draws inspiration from Prof Choo’s legacy and his philosophy of “Creativity Through Skills” with the curriculum personally approved by the shoe maestro.
CENTEXS, with the goal of incorporating sustainability across all its courses, has agreed to make the shoe-making artisanry course the pilot programme for integrating a sustainability module. RSK will provide support to CENTEXS, the Sarawak Government, and the Shoe Making Artisanry course by sharing their global sustainability expertise.
RSK Board Director Ian Goodacre, who leads the group’s APAC growth strategy, said: “This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity for RSK to work with CENTEXS and the Sarawak Government to help them achieve their sustainability goals. CENTEXS wishes to embed sustainability in all aspects of its work and, in particular, with its students who are future business leaders.”
Following the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding, representatives from RSK Prof Choo engaged with students enrolled in the shoe-making artisan course.
RSK also hosted a sustainability roundtable with the students to brainstorm ideas on leveraging their fashion careers and future footwear brands to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, working towards the vision of a “Made In Sarawak Consortium”. This collaboration signifies a significant step towards fostering sustainability and innovation in the field of artisanry, showcasing the power of partnership in driving positive change.
CENTEXS Chief Executive Officer Dato Haji Syeed Mohd Hussien Bin Wan Abd Rahman said: “The signing of a memorandum of understanding with RSK gives me an immense pleasure to have access and opportunity to work strongly together on specifically ESG programmes and technologies.
“This will inevitably be in sync with Sarawak’s leadership dream to be a leader in SDG both at national and international front. As a wise man once said, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Indeed, CENTEXS and the RSK Group have taken that first step.”
The RSK-CENTEXS collaboration is one that is expected to evolve, but it has been agreed that the work will focus on:
- climate change mitigation, adaption and risk management
- biodiversity strategy and nature-based solutions
- environmental, social and governance (ESG) measurement, reporting and verification for certifications and regulatory compliance
- ESG research for evidence-based policy and regulation
- sustainability education and training.
Dr Robert Charnock, Director of the RSK-funded Metis Institute for Climate Strategy, said CENTEXS will play a key role in creating the labour force that can deliver Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030.
He said: “RSK will be supporting this by providing expertise in the green skills and training required across the Sarawak Post COVID-19 Development Strategy’s six key economic sectors: manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, forestry, mining and social services.
“In addition, CENTEXS supports the Sarawak Government strategy by developing applied research and solutions on implementing the State Government’s 2030 strategy. This is another core area for collaboration with RSK, which brings an extensive track record in sustainability regulation and policy.”
Dr Charnock, the RSK lead for the CENTEXS relationship, has already conducted a knowledge transfer workshop on climate change with Malaysia’s joint committee of three financial regulators.
He added that CENTEXS is also tasked with exploring and demonstrating the commercial viability of innovative green technologies. The Kuching campus will host pilot projects on solar, wind and cascading hydrogen power.
“As the Sarawak Government continues to explore the vast landscape of green energy and technology, RSK will be on standby to support in creating pilot projects, testing commercial viability and delivering training in these cutting-edge technologies.”
About RSK
RSK (www.rskgroup.com) is a global leader in the delivery of sustainable solutions. Its family of more than 200 environmental, engineering and technical services businesses and 15,000 employees works together to provide practical solutions to some of the greatest challenges societies have ever faced.
The company operates in most sectors of the economy, including many of those most critical to future global sustainability, such as water, energy, food and drink, infrastructure, urban development, mining and waste. With its integrated offering across research and development, consultancy and on-the-ground application, RSK can deliver a complete solution that is unrivalled in the market.
The company is certified to the ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 international standards for quality, environmental management and health and safety management.
About the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak
The Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak, formerly known as Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak also known as CENTEXS, was established by the State Government through Yayasan Sarawak on 1 October 2014 to undertake the call by the former Governor of Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud and the late Pehin Sri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Adenan bin Haji Satem, former Chief Minister of Sarawak, to train more people on technical skills that Sarawak needs to industrialise the economy.
CENTEXS was given the responsibility to train and upskill the young generation and organisation workforce to meet the technical needs and requirements of the State industries, focusing on the industry of energy, lifestyle & heritage, environmental sustainability, construction, hospitality & tourism, digital and agriculture.
From technical training based to the current technology training, CENTEXS has trained 6,222 graduates throughout the state as of January 2024. The unique feature of CENTEXS is that 77.4% of its training programmes offered international certifications that are developed in close consultation starting with the State government and direct involvement of industry players in assuring the relevancy of training to meet the demands of the industries and assisting the trainees a career upon completion of their training.
CENTEXS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Yayasan Sarawak with its headquarters in Kuching, has expanded its branches throughout Sarawak in Lundu, Dalat, Lawas, Betong and Mukah. Besides Yayasan Sarawak, CENTEXS is also governed by the Premier of Sarawak Department and the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development of Sarawak. Through government support and collaboration with strategic partners, CENTEXS is committed to supporting the achievement of the Sarawak 2030 vision.
