i-CATS, Naico to ink landmark MoU at LIMA 2025 to propel S'wak into regional aerospace hub
Sagah (centre) and other dignitaries pose for a group photo after the press conference. – Photo by Hafizah Abdul Hamid
KUCHING (May 16): i-CATS University College and the National Aerospace Industry Corporation (Naico) Malaysia will officially sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the prestigious Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2025) on May 20, in a landmark move to position Sarawak as a regional leader in aerospace and satellite technology.
This was announced by Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn at a press conference held at the board meeting room of i-CATS University College here yesterday.
'This partnership marks a transformative milestone in Malaysia's aerospace journey and signals Sarawak's rise as a key contributor to the nation's aerospace and space technology ambitions,' he said.
According to Sagah, the MoU aligns with the Malaysia Aerospace Industry Blueprint (MAIB) 2030, the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, and the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 – strengthening the synergies between federal and state-level initiatives.
Under this collaboration, i-CATS and Naico will co-develop aerospace education pipelines, talent development programmes, and research capabilities to support the fast-growing aerospace industry.
Describing the MoU as a strategic ignition point, Sagah said it will enable Sarawak to emerge as Borneo's Aerospace Hub, while enhancing Malaysia's digital and technological sovereignty and creating inclusive economic opportunities.
The MoU outlines several collaborative pillars, including establishment of the i-CATS Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, the Centre for Aerospace and Satellite Technology (ICAST), and the Aerospace Academy. It also includes the development of academic and technical programmes in aerospace engineering, satellite systems, avionics, and aircraft maintenance; integration of TVET-to-university pathways aligned with aerospace MRO, manufacturing, and Research and Development (R&D); joint research initiatives with global partners from Europe, North America, Turkiye, Japan, and Asean nations and; internship and industrial attachment programmes to embed students within global aerospace value chains.
With an ambitious target to train aerospace professionals in line with Sarawak's development needs by 2035, i-CATS is set to become a regional nucleus for talent, research, and innovation in aerospace and satellite technologies.
'Situated near the equator, Sarawak is ideally positioned for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite missions,' said Sagah.
The collaboration also supports feasibility studies for equatorial launch services in partnership with Naico, the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA), and global satellite providers – offering a strategic edge in the Asia-Pacific aerospace landscape.
Future plans include hosting the Asia Pacific Aerospace Conference and Exhibition (APACE) in Sarawak, to enhance regional cooperation in aerospace, digital economy, and sustainability across BIMP-EAGA and Asean.
'The global aerospace industry is projected to exceed US$1.4 trillion by 2030,' Sagah noted.
Sarawak's Aerospace Hub, anchored by i-CATS, is expected to contribute significantly to this growth by creating over 30,000 high-income jobs in design, engineering, MRO, and satellite operation; enhancing local capabilities in drone technology, aerospace semiconductors, and space-based communications and; accelerating high-tech exports and economic diversification across Sarawak and Malaysia.
'This MoU signifies more than a bilateral agreement – it is a national call for collaboration across academia, government, and industry. I-CATS and Naico jointly invite OEMs, international research institutions, and aerospace innovators to invest in Sarawak as the gateway to Asia's next space economy, he added.
i-CATS University College is a premier institution in Sarawak committed to advancing technical, vocational, and engineering education. With a growing emphasis on aerospace and satellite technology, i-CATS is positioning itself at the forefront of Malaysia's high-tech education transformation.
Naico Malaysia, under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), is the lead agency for the aerospace industry and is responsible for driving the implementation of the Malaysia Aerospace Industry Blueprint and fostering industrial development nationwide.
Also present during the conference were i-CATS University College vice chancellor Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi and dean of Faculty of Aerospace Engineering Professor Dr Shuhaimi Mansor.
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