UCSI’s new eco-hotel project makes headway

KUCHING: UCSI Group expanded its operations in Sarawak with the groundbreaking launch of its new eco-hotel on the banks of the Isthmus confluence.

Christened UCSI Hotel Kuching, the establishment will enhance the brand's presence in the state after 16 years of education operations.

Standing out for its many green features, the 15-storey hotel will be a Green Building Index (GBI)-certified building upon completion.

This distinction was noted by Sarawak Housing and Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg who praised UCSI's commitment to go green and for bringing the right development and skills to Sarawak, especially in the tourism and hospitality industry.

He points out that this displays the confidence that the UCSI brand has in Sarawak.

"The new hotel is timely with the rapid development in Sarawak and this would have a major impact on the state's economy," he says.

Abang Johari was representing Sarawak Chief Minister The Right Honourable Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud at the Hotel's groundbreaking ceremony at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.

"UCSI Hotel Kuching was deliberately designed with green sustainability in mind," said UCSI Group founder and chairman Dato' Peter Ng in a press conference after the groundbreaking ceremony.

"As the largest state in Malaysia by some distance, Sarawak has so much to offer by itself in terms of biodiversity and experience. It's a place where adventure lives and we wanted to fit in with – and not displace – nature from the start."

Covering a total build-up area of 300,000 m2 on a 2.5-acre site in Kuching's new central business district, UCSI Hotel Kuching will house 168 state-of-the-art rooms.

The Hotel's green features include external fin-shaped structures that shield the hotel to reduce solar gain, the utilisation of river water to lower temperatures by around 2°C, a naturally ventilated lobby aided by wind funnels and an advanced rain water harvesting system, among others.

The entire project is expected to cost around RM120-150mil.

UCSI Hotel Kuching is designed by Wilson Chang Jih Ren, a highly-acclaimed architect in Sarawak. The project is designed to minimise excavation and off-site dumping.

The project began taking shape after UCSI Group purchased the site from CMS Land Sdn Bhd, a property development subsidiary of Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd in joint venture with the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation.

Dato' Richard Curtis, Group Managing Director of Cahya Mata Sarawak, was also present at the ceremony.

UCSI Group is a leading conglomerate based in Kuala Lumpur with myriad operations in education, consultancy, healthcare, hotels, properties and technology. Its Sarawak operations started in 1998 with education as its focus.

With a 27-year track record of excellence behind it, the Group constantly seeks new ways to enrich the lives of its clientele in Malaysia and beyond.