Univers, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IoT) technology for energy, announced Monday the signing of a strategic partnership with the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporate (SDEC) to establish Malaysia’s first net zero center of excellence in Kuching, Sarawak.

Univers said in a statement that the new center will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak’s transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.

Backed by a memorandum of understanding (MOU), the partnership will focus on three core areas: advisory and enablement; research and development (R&D) and innovation; commercial deployment.

The partnership will design digital strategies and advisory services for businesses and public agencies, drawing on Univers’ global experience in net zero and AI technologies.

It will also establish open labs, testbeds, and living labs to drive research and co-create new intellectual property tailored to the region’s needs.

It will also launch real-world Net Zero projects across key sectors, from energy to hospitality, using AI to unlock smarter, cleaner ways of operating.

“Sustainability is a journey built on data, collaboration, and action,

“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,” said Arun Poojari, Global Vice President, Univers

The partnership will explore how digital tools can improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and drive operational excellence across Sarawak’s key economic sectors.

Additional joint efforts may include skills-building programs and knowledge-sharing initiatives to nurture local talent and ideas.

The agreement also aligns with Sarawak’s broader ambition to build a digitally driven and environmentally sustainable economy as outlined in the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030.

“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 entrusted with more than just delivering digital projects, our mandate is to orchestrate a resilient, inclusive, and future-facing digital economy that fits the aspirations of all Sarawakians,” said Sudarnoto Osman, Chief Executive Officer of SDEC.

“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,” he added.

Univers is a global leader in AI for Energy. The firm’s EnOS™ platform enables enterprises to solve complex energy challenges through intelligent, data-driven insights.

With 324 million connected devices and 788 GW of renewable energy managed, the firm is an AI-native company delivering end-to-end energy management solutions that support organizations across every stage of their energy transition journey.

SDEC is a wholly owned company of Sarawak government. Since its incorporation in 2018, the firm is mandated to accelerate the digital adoption across industries and to lead technological innovation towards transforming Sarawak into a digital economy powerhouse.

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