Latest news with #Rentap
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
SELC 2025: Boosting English literacy to power Sarawak's future workforce
Rentap (third left) says SELC 2025 brings in internationally-renowned speakers to share with the participants valuable methodologies and global best practices. KUCHING (July 18): English literacy plays a pivotal role in strengthening Sarawak's human capital development and also in preparing the younger generation for the demands of an increasingly globalised and technology-driven world. In highlighting this, State Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu also stressed about the language's importance in ensuring Sarawak would reach its high-income economy status by 2030. 'English is not just a language; it is a tool for access,' he said in a statement to promote the Sarawak English Literary Conference (SELC) 2025, scheduled to be taking place at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here this Sept 17 to 19. SELC 2025 is meant to be a strategic platform to support the Sarawak government's ongoing efforts in elevating the English language proficiency across all levels of education – from early childhood to tertiary stage. Adding on, Rentap, also advisor to SELC 2025, said Sarawak would require a highly-skilled workforce especially in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in line with the state's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, focusing on economic growth, environmental sustainability and social inclusivity. 'STEM must be accompanied by strong English literacy, beginning from early childhood. 'Introducing synthetic phonics at an early age has proven effective in building strong language foundations that can later support science and technological learning.' On SELC 2025, Rentap said it would bring in internationally-renowned speakers in phonics, education and STEM — all of whom would share with the participants valuable methodologies and global best practices. 'With support from international experts, from Jolly Learning and STEM Learning UK, we want our educators, not just in Sarawak but from across Malaysia and beyond, to benefit from this knowledge-sharing opportunity.' Rentap also spoke about the strategic importance of investing in educators themselves, underlining a strong education system would depend not only on the curriculum, but also on the capacity and commitment of its teachers. 'If we are to prepare our youths for tomorrow's challenges, from hydrogen energy to aerospace, from carbon management to AI (artificial intelligence), then our teachers must be equipped with the tools and vision to guide them.' Describing SELC 2025 as a 'homegrown conference with international ambition', Rentap said the initiative meant to align strongly with Sarawak's broader aspirations. 'This is not just an event, as it is part of a long-term vision. 'We are grateful to the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development and the Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, as well as the Sarawak Education Department and Business Events Sarawak, for their support in making this a reality. 'With the introduction of free tertiary education in Sarawak beginning from next year, the emphasis on literacy and technical knowledge is crucial than ever. 'We want our youths to have every opportunity to succeed, not only here in Sarawak but on the global stage. 'If they are equipped with strong English skills and a solid foundation in science and technology, they can go anywhere,' said Rentap. For more information and registration details, go to or call Emierson on +6082-555 189, or access [email protected]. Gerald Rentap Jabu Kuching lead Sarawak English Literary Conference SELC
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Rentap: English literacy vital for Sarawak to meet demands of globalised, tech-driven world
Rentap (third left) said SELC 2025 will involve internationally renowned speakers sharing valuable methodologies and global best practices. KUCHING (July 18): English literacy plays a pivotal role in strengthening Sarawak's human capital development and preparing the younger generation for the demands of an increasingly globalised and technology-driven world, said Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu. The Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development said Sarawak will require a highly skilled workforce especially in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in line with its Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, focusing on economic growth, environmental sustainability and social inclusivity. 'English is not just a language; it is a tool for access,' he said in a statement to promote the Sarawak English Literary Conference (SELC) 2025 on Sept 17-19. Rentap, who is an SELC 2025 advisor, said STEM must be accompanied by strong English literacy, beginning from early childhood. According to him, introducing synthetic phonics at an early age has proven effective in building strong language foundations that can later support science and technological learning. He said SELC 2025 will bring in internationally renowned speakers in phonics, education, and STEM — all of whom will share valuable methodologies and global best practices. 'With support from international experts from Jolly Learning and STEM Learning UK, we want our educators, not just in Sarawak but from across Malaysia and beyond, to benefit from this knowledge-sharing opportunity,' he said. Rentap also spoke on the strategic importance of investing in educators themselves, asserting that a strong education system depends not only on the curriculum but also on the capacity and commitment of its teachers. 'If we are to prepare our youth for tomorrow's challenges, from hydrogen energy to aerospace, from carbon management to artificial intelligence, then our teachers must be equipped with the tools and vision to guide them,' he said. He thanked the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development; Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development; Sarawak State Education Department; and Business Events Sarawak for supporting the event. With the introduction of free tertiary education in Sarawak from next year, he said the emphasis on literacy and technical knowledge is more crucial than ever. 'We want our youth to have every opportunity to succeed, not only here in Sarawak but on the global stage. If they are equipped with strong English skills and a foundation in science and technology, they can go anywhere,' added Rentap. SELC 2025 is designed as a strategic platform to support the Sarawak government's ongoing efforts to elevate English language proficiency across all levels of education, from early childhood to tertiary. It aspires to influence future educational policies and strategies, helping to position Sarawak as a knowledge-forward and future-ready state by 2030. For more information and registration details, visit or call Emierson on 082-555189 or email [email protected]. Gerald Rentap Jabu lead Sarawak English Literary Conference
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
SELC 2025: Empowering educators, youths to meet Sarawak's 2030 vision
Gerald (third left) in a group photo after a meeting on SELC 2025 with (from left) LEDC chairman and conference convenor Paul Langgang; Place Borneo director and principal consultant, Gracie Geikie; Sarawak Education Department representative Eileen Guan; conference committee member, Mike Cannon; and Dr. Steve Ancheh, LEDC project coordinator. KUCHING (July 16): Language and literacy are crucial building blocks in ensuring Sarawak's readiness for the future as the state strides confidently towards a high-income economy by 2030. In an exclusive interview, Sarawak English Literacy Conference (SELC) 2025 advisor, Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, highlighted the pivotal role of English literacy in strengthening Sarawak's human capital development and preparing the younger generation for the demands of an increasingly globalised and technology-driven world. 'English is not just a language; it is a tool for access,' said Rentap, who is Sarawak's Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development. 'When we look at our Post-COVID Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), and the direction and directives from our Premier, it is clear that economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social inclusivity will require a highly skilled workforce, especially in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). 'But this cannot exist in isolation. STEM must be accompanied by strong English literacy, beginning from early childhood.' Scheduled to take place from Sept 17 to 19, 2025, at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre (HEEC) here, SELC 2025 is designed as a strategic platform to support the Sarawak Government's ongoing efforts to elevate English language proficiency across all levels of education, from early childhood to the tertiary level. Rentap emphasised the significance of introducing synthetic phonics at an early age, noting its proven effectiveness in building strong language foundations that can later support science and technological learning. 'This conference brings in internationally renowned speakers in phonics, education, and STEM — all of whom will share valuable methodologies and global best practices. 'With support from international experts from Jolly Learning and STEM Learning UK, we want our educators, not just in Sarawak but from across Malaysia and beyond, to benefit from this knowledge-sharing opportunity,' he said. He also touched on the strategic importance of investing in educators themselves, asserting that a strong education system depends not only on the curriculum but also on the capacity and commitment of its teachers. 'If we are to prepare our youth for tomorrow's challenges, from hydrogen energy to aerospace, from carbon management to artificial intelligence, then our teachers must be equipped with the tools and vision to guide them.' Describing SELC 2025 as a 'homegrown conference with international ambition', Rentap remarked that the initiative aligns strongly with Sarawak's broader aspirations. 'This is not just an event, it is part of a long-term vision. We are grateful to the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development and the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, as well as the Sarawak State Education Department and Business Events Sarawak, for their support in making this a reality.' And with the introduction of free tertiary education in Sarawak from next year, the emphasis on literacy and technical knowledge is more crucial than ever. 'We want our youth to have every opportunity to succeed, not only here in Sarawak but on the global stage. If they are equipped with strong English skills and a foundation in science and technology, they can go anywhere,' Rentap said. SELC 2025 aspires to influence future educational policies and strategies, helping to position Sarawak as a knowledge-forward and future-ready state by 2030. The conference is jointly organised by Place Borneo and Layar Education Development Committee in collaboration with Jolly Learning and STEM Learning UK. For more information and registration details, visit or contact Emierson at +6082 555 189 or [email protected]. English Gerald Rentap Jabu SELC 2025
Borneo Post
18-06-2025
- Science
- Borneo Post
Over 300 students visit STEM Catalysts Raspberry Pi 2025 tour in Betong
Rentap (left) listens to a briefing by a facilitator. KUCHING (June 18): More than 300 students, mainly from Primary 5, Primary 6, and Form 1, have visited the STEM Catalysts Raspberry Pi 2025 tour in Betong, said Sarawak Skills. In a press release today, Sarawak Skills said Betong was the seventh out of 18 stops for the statewide tour. STEM Catalysts is a touring science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) carnival organised by the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development to spur pupils' interests in STEM, particularly those from rural primary schools. The 2025 edition features the use of coding and Raspberry Pi to make use of STEM knowledge, including the use of Raspberry Pi to control hydraulic systems to lift very heavy objects guided by Pascal's Law. Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development Deputy Minister Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, who is Layar assemblyman, officially opened the event at the Betong District Education Office yesterday. He said STEM awareness and interests must be inculcated in students as early as possible to get them ready for the technology driven and competitive world. 'Therefore, I hope events such as STEM Catalysts can be carried out more frequently and with participation from parents and the public. We need everyone's participation to nurture our young ones,' he said. Students observe one of the STEM exhibits. STEM Catalysts is one of the many initiatives coordinated by the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development to achieve the target of increasing STEM enrolment in Sarawak from 30 per cent to 60 per cent, to produce enough talents for the state. The event involved staff and students from Sarawak Skills and University of Technology Sarawak, as well as STEM communicators from the Sarawak Science Centre. Persatuan Kebajikan Rolf Schnyder, a philanthropic organisation which provides education support to children, also organised a mini coding competition. The tour will move on to Lubok Antu and Simunjan, followed by Kanowit, Song, and Kapit next week. It is expected to cover 100 schools by the end of the month. Betong Gerald Rentap Jabu lead STEM Catalysts Raspberry Pi 2025
Borneo Post
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Borneo Post
Players from 16 countries in Kuching for 23rd Asian Individual and Doubles Squash Championships
Rentap (front fifth left) is flanked by Azlan and Lucy in a group photo with team coaches and other distinguished guests. — Photo by Kentigern Minggu KUCHING (June 17): The 23rd Asian Individual and Doubles Squash Championships 2025 will witness 87 contenders from 16 Asian countries vying for top honours. Running from today until June 26 at the Sarawak Squash Centre here, the championships will feature athletes from Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, China, Iran, Kuwait, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Iraq, and Macao. 'I hope you will demonstrate that squash remains a highly relevant and fiercely competitive sport across the world,' said Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu at the welcoming dinner last night. Rentap commended organisers Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) and Squash Racquets Association of Sarawak (SRAS) for their efforts in securing support for the championships. 'They have also consistently ensured that both the venue and the event are welcoming to all participating nations,' he said. He called for more international sporting events to be held in Sarawak to showcase the state's natural beauty and peaceful charm to the world. Among those present at the welcoming dinner were SRAS president Lucy Read, deputy president Dr Shafiq Abdullah, and SRAM deputy president Azlan Iskandar.
