Latest news with #RolandSagahWeeInn
Borneo Post
11-06-2025
- Borneo Post
English education must evolve with technology, says S'wak minister
Teachers from Sarawak northern zone participating in Seles. BINTULU (June 11): English is not just an academic subject in school, but a gateway to global knowledge, science and technology and opportunity, said Sarawak Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. 'As we strive to build a competitive and innovative Sarawak, equipping our teachers with relevant skills – especially in digital-age pedagogy – is non-negotiable. 'As technology continues to shape the way we live, it must also transform the way we educate,' he said in his text speech read by his deputy minister, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, when officiating the opening ceremony of the 'Sarawak English Language Education Symposium (Seles) 2025' here today. According to Sagah, teaching and learning can no longer remain static, especially since digital tools, AI (artificial intelligence), gamification and online platforms are not mere trends but teaching essentials. He added this year's theme 'Igniting Minds: English Language Learning in the Digital Age' reflected the urgent need to rethink and reimagine how to teach and learn English. He noted Seles began in 2017 as a large-scale initiative, bringing together over 1,000 English language educators from across Sarawak. 'In recent years, Seles has evolved into a more focused and customised platform, designed to support teachers through the sharing of best practices and localised content that can be readily applied in their own classrooms and schools. 'For us at the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Seles is more than just a symposium – it is a strategic investment in our teachers, schools, and future generation.' He hoped the three-day symposium would be able to deepen the teachers' understanding of technology-enhanced English language teaching. 'We also hope it will encourage greater innovation in the classroom, inspiring educators to explore new strategies and tools in adapting to the needs of today's learners. 'Ultimately, we believe that initiatives like Seles will help raise the overall standard of English language education throughout Sarawak, aligning our practices with global trends while remaining grounded in local values and realities,' he said. He added the ministry remains fully committed to supporting this transformation through programmes like Seles, as part of its broader mission to build sustainable and future-ready human capital for Sarawak. 'Our teachers are the key to that mission and we will continue to invest in their growth and success,' he said. English Roland Sagah Seles technology
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Sagah: Disease surveillance programme in Ulu Undop out to boost health preparedness in Sarawak
Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 27): The Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) has begun a disease surveillance programme in Ulu Undop, marking a significant milestone in Sarawak's efforts in strengthening its health preparedness and response mechanisms. In this regard, Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn hailed the Ulu Undop move as the first of several planned initiatives under SIDC, with two additional sites in Kuching expected to be launched later this year. 'This is part of our broader strategy to enhance early detection and response, especially in rural and vulnerable areas,' he said in his winding-up speech at the DUN sitting yesterday. It is also informed that in tandem with its surveillance efforts, SIDC is also piloting latent tuberculosis diagnosis in high-risk areas as a precursor to the Sarawak Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (STEP). Adding on, Sagah said construction of the SIDC facility in Samarahan, which kicked off in March last year, was progressing on schedule. On the international front, he said the SIDC had signed several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on May 6 with the University of Edinburgh, the ROSE Foundation (based at Universiti Malaya), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), and other global partners to advance research in diagnostics, 'One Health', human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling, and also potential vaccine development. 'SIDC also launched the Ali Wallace Joint Research and Training Centre with Murdoch University,' said the Tarat assemblyman, adding that 10 SIDC staff members wold undergo training in Australia, with four Murdoch researchers currently being based in Sarawak. 'Two PhD slots have also been allocated to SIDC under this partnership, with Murdoch supporting the Centre's AI-enabled ICT design.' Sagah also highlighted SIDC's collaboration with the Department of Veterinary Services to deploy portable genome sequencing to monitor African Swine Fever Virus and also to bolster biosecurity in the pork industry. 'These strategic partnerships, both local and international, reaffirm Sarawak's commitment to being at the forefront of infectious disease research and public health innovation,' he pointed out. healthcare Roland Sagah Wee Inn Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
'Disease surveillance programme in Ulu Undop out to boost health preparedness in Sarawak'
Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 27): The Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) has begun a disease surveillance programme in Ulu Undop, marking a significant milestone in Sarawak's efforts in strengthening its health preparedness and response mechanisms. In this regard, Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn hailed the Ulu Undop move as the first of several planned initiatives under SIDC, with two additional sites in Kuching expected to be launched later this year. 'This is part of our broader strategy to enhance early detection and response, especially in rural and vulnerable areas,' he said in his winding-up speech at the DUN sitting yesterday. It is also informed that in tandem with its surveillance efforts, SIDC is also piloting latent tuberculosis diagnosis in high-risk areas as a precursor to the Sarawak Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (STEP). Adding on, Sagah said construction of the SIDC facility in Samarahan, which kicked off in March last year, was progressing on schedule. On the international front, he said the SIDC had signed several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on May 6 with the University of Edinburgh, the ROSE Foundation (based at Universiti Malaya), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), and other global partners to advance research in diagnostics, 'One Health', human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling, and also potential vaccine development. 'SIDC also launched the Ali Wallace Joint Research and Training Centre with Murdoch University,' said the Tarat assemblyman, adding that 10 SIDC staff members wold undergo training in Australia, with four Murdoch researchers currently being based in Sarawak. 'Two PhD slots have also been allocated to SIDC under this partnership, with Murdoch supporting the Centre's AI-enabled ICT design.' Sagah also highlighted SIDC's collaboration with the Department of Veterinary Services to deploy portable genome sequencing to monitor African Swine Fever Virus and also to bolster biosecurity in the pork industry. 'These strategic partnerships, both local and international, reaffirm Sarawak's commitment to being at the forefront of infectious disease research and public health innovation,' he pointed out. healthcare Roland Sagah Wee Inn Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Sarawak aims to produce 500 semiconductor engineers by 2030
KUCHING: Sarawak aims to produce 500 semiconductor engineers by 2030, state Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said today. He said state-owned Microelectronics Design (SMD) is running upskilling and reskilling programmes to achieve the target. "One key programme is the semiconductor mastery programme, developed in partnership with Melexis Malaysia and Centre of Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS)." He said this in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly here. He said 28 trainees had completed a six-month training programme and were hired by SMD, Melexis, and X-FAB Sarawak at the Samajaya Hi-Tech Park. To strengthen Sarawak's presence in the global semiconductor industry, SMD has established an R&D innovation hub in Newport, Wales, in collaboration with CSA Catapult. "This move gives us access to world-class research facilities, top-tier talent and key industry partners. "A highlight this year is the development of an Edge AI-power converter we soft-launched in Newport, witnessed by Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. Sagah said that the prototype is a breakthrough for smart grids, electrical vehicles and industrial systems using AI for real-time power management and energy efficiency. He said that the Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre is central to the state's vision of achieving AI sovereignty. "This will be realised through the establishment of a trusted AI infrastructure, the development of domestic AI and domain expertise, the protection of Sarawak's data ownership, and the deployment of AI solutions that enhance governance, public service delivery, and AI security." He said the centre is leading the development of the Sarawak AI Roadmap, a blueprint to guide efforts in building an inclusive and future-ready AI ecosystem. He added that, as part of this initiative, the centre is co-developing Sarawak's AI strategy and policy framework with government policymakers to ensure alignment with the state's digital agenda. "At the same time, the centre will work with stakeholders and industry partners to design a strategy for AI talent development.' This, he said, will include training, upskilling and capacity-building efforts aimed at equipping Sarawakians with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven economy. He said the centre will embark on artificial intelligence research and development, in partnership with research institutions and institutions of higher learning. He said that these efforts will position Sarawak at the forefront of technological innovation and knowledge creation. "One of the key focus areas under the AI Roadmap is the development of DeepSAR, a specialised AI platform co- developed with stakeholders from the biodiversity sector and other industries. "DeepSAR will support advanced research and data-driven solutions that leverage Sarawak's natural heritage and sectoral expertise."
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Science
- Borneo Post
Sagah: Tropi named Malaysia's sole partner in global peatland research project
Sagah addresses members of the august House during the DUN sitting today. – Sarawak Public Communications Unit photo KUCHING (May 26): The Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute (Tropi) has been appointed as Malaysia's sole partner for the Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Budgets in Peatlands: From Processes to Global Comprehension project this year, said Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. The Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister stated that as part of this collaboration, a Miro Multi-compound Gas Analyser System was deployed at a field site in February to continuously monitor greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes — specifically Nitrous Oxide (N2O), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), and Methane (CH4). 'To address data transmission challenges from the remote location, the Miro system has been integrated with Starlink satellite internet, enabling real-time, digitised data transfer to Tropi's central repository. 'This setup allows Tropi researchers to continuously access, monitor, and analyse GHG flux data, significantly enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of their monitoring efforts,' said Sagah during his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here today. Sagah said Tropi continues to make substantial contributions to global scientific discourse on peatland conservation and sustainable development in 2025. The institution represented Sarawak at major international platforms, including the International Soil Science Conference 2025, the European Geosciences Union General Assembly (EGU2025), the International Peatland Society Annual Convention 2025, and the 12th Intecol Wetlands Conference. In the speech, Roland highlighted the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre's (SBC) efforts to commercialise biodiversity-based products through a structured and scientific approach. 'This approach involves a progression of registering end products that have traditional claims, to scientifically validated modern health claims and subsequently as pharmaceutical applications,' he said. As a start, SBC is targeting four monographs of local species. 'Monographs are detailed scientific documents that describe the species characteristics, their traditional uses, preparation methods, phytochemical information, pharmacological as well as safety and toxicity of the species. These are important references for registering a product.' He said SBC aims to register these species as natural products with traditional claims with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) by November 2025. 'If successfully commercialised, these will result in benefit sharing with the communities.' 'Speaking of communities, on May 22 to 24 this year, 46 members from 15 indigenous communities, from 40 locations throughout Sarawak convened at SBC for the annual Traditional Knowledge Documentation Workshop. 'The spotlight of this annual workshop is on prioritising their respective plants and associated traditional knowledge for commercialisation,' he added. Sagah said these initiatives reflect his ministry's commitment to both scientific advancement and sustainable economic development, in line with the international theme for Biodiversity Day 2025, 'Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development.' 'By recognising the value of traditional knowledge and our biological resources, we are not only committed to sustainable economic growth, but also the preservation of our biodiversity,' he said.
