Latest news with #SEEP
Borneo Post
05-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Premier: Education, talent development remain pillars of Sarawak's growth
Sagah looks at a model rocket made by secondary school students at the event. – Photo by Galileo Petingi KUCHING (July 5): Education and human capital development remain as key pillars in Sarawak's development agenda, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said both areas form the foundation for transforming the state's socio-economic landscape through talent cultivation, innovation, and community empowerment, in line with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030). He noted that efforts under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) 2021–2025 have already begun to bear fruit, especially in enhancing the education ecosystem, expanding Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and promoting a culture of innovation. 'Looking ahead, the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) 2026–2030 will represent the final phase of PCDS 2030's implementation. 'Preparations are underway through consultations involving various ministries, industries, academic institutions, and civil society to ensure a comprehensive, inclusive, and forward-looking strategy with human capital development at its core. 'Overall, 13MP will prioritise education and skills development to meet the needs of a knowledge-based economy. 'By nurturing a future-ready workforce and strengthening local innovation, we aim to elevate Sarawak's global competitiveness and the quality of life of its people,' he said during the opening of the Sarawak Career and Training Fair 2025 (SCaT Fair 2025) at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today. His text-of-speech was read by State Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD), Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. Abang Johari further highlighted several state-led initiatives to strengthen the education and human capital sector, including the introduction of the Dual Language Programme Assessment Test (UP-DLP) for Year 6 pupils starting this October, covering Science, Mathematics, and English subjects. 'In line with our commitment to educational equity, we have also introduced the Sarawak Education Enhancement Programme (SEEP) under MEITD to support lower secondary students, especially those in Forms 3 to 5, who perform less well in the Academic Session Final Examination (UASA). 'SEEP's goal is to improve SPM outcomes, increase the number of students in the science stream, and ensure a pathway to higher education,' he said. He also announced that starting next year, the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) will be rolled out at state-owned higher learning institutions, focusing on STEM and professional fields. 'This is a strategic investment in human capital and a signal that Sarawak is preparing a future-ready workforce,' he added. The Premier also stressed that talent development extends beyond classroom learning. In this regard, the Industry Continuous Professional Development (iCPD) programme will continue, with this year's focus on training Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Coordinators. On the exhibition itself, Abang Johari described SCaT Fair as a vital platform linking youth aspirations with real opportunities within Sarawak's growing innovation ecosystem—including digital economy, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and renewable energy sectors. He also thanked MEITD and the Sarawak Foundation for Economic Empowerment (Tegas) for their continued efforts in organising the fair. . STEM abang johari education human capital development Roland Sagah
Roya News
25-06-2025
- Business
- Roya News
World Bank approves $146 million grant to rebuild Syria's power sector
The World Bank on Wednesday approved a USD 146 million grant to Syria aimed at rehabilitating the war-torn country's electricity sector and supporting its economic recovery after years of conflict. According to a statement by the Bank, the funding comes from the International Development Association (IDA) and will be used to implement the Syria Emergency Electricity Project (SEEP), which seeks to repair damaged infrastructure and improve the stability of the national power grid. The project includes the rehabilitation of high-voltage transmission lines and substations, particularly those connecting Syria regionally with Jordan and Turkey. It will also provide technical assistance for power sector development and support institutional reforms and investment planning. The project will be implemented by Syria's General Electricity Transmission and Distribution Corporation in coordination with an international consultancy, while the World Bank will oversee the process through an external monitoring body 'to ensure compliance with environmental and financial standards,' the statement said. Commenting on the grant, Syrian Finance Minister Yasar Barnieh said electricity is a 'key investment for economic growth, service delivery, and improving livelihoods.' 'This project marks Syria's first cooperation with the World Bank in nearly four decades, and we hope it will pave the way for a broader support program to aid Syria's path toward recovery and sustainable development,' he added, according to the statement. Syria faces a severe electricity crisis as a result of the war, with daily supply limited to two to four hours. Most power stations have been damaged, and production has fallen to around 1,300 megawatts—far below the pre-war capacity of 9,000 megawatts. On May 29, Syria signed a USD 7 billion agreement and memorandum of understanding with a consortium of international companies to develop its energy sector. The deal includes plans to generate 5,000 megawatts of electricity through four gas-fired power plants.
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
World Bank to Finance Syria with $146 Million to Restore Electricity
The World Bank approved a $146 million grant to help Syria restore reliable, affordable electricity and support the country's economic recovery, it said in a statement on Wednesday. 'The Syria Electricity Emergency Project (SEEP) will rehabilitate damaged transmission lines and transformer substations and provide technical assistance to support the development of the electricity sector and build the capacity of its institutions,' it said. After 14 years of war, Syria's electricity sector has been suffering from severe damage to its grid and power stations, aging infrastructure, and persistent fuel shortages. "Among Syria's urgent reconstruction needs, rehabilitating the electricity sector has emerged as a critical, no-regret investment that can improve the living conditions of the Syrian people, support the return of refugees and the internally displaced, enable resumption of other services such as water services and healthcare for the population and help kickstart economic recovery," said World Bank Middle East Division Director Jean-Christophe Carret. "This project represents the first step in a planned increase in World Bank support to Syria on its path to recovery and development,' he added. According to the World Bank statement, the SEEP will finance the rehabilitation of high voltage transmission lines, including two critical 400 kV high-voltage interconnector transmission lines damaged during the conflict, restoring Syria's regional connectivity to Jordan and Türkiye. The project will also repair damaged high-voltage transformer substations near demand centers in the most impacted areas that host the highest number of returnee refugees and internally displaced people and provide necessary spare parts and maintenance equipment. In addition, the SEEP will provide technical assistance to inform the country's key electricity sector strategies, policy and regulatory reforms, and investment plans for medium to long term sustainability. It will also provide capacity building support to the electricity sector institutions to implement these strategies and reforms.
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Science
- New Straits Times
Sarawak allocates RM20mil to provide free tuition to weak SPM students
KUCHING: Sarawak has allocated RM20 million this year to support a programme aimed at improving students' performances, particularly in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination. A core element of the Sarawak Enhancement Education Programme (SEEP) is the provision of free tuition to students, specifically targeting those students who have not passed their school-based examinations. State Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah told the state assembly today the initiative was a testament to Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg's on-going commitment to strengthening education in Sarawak. He said the programme focused on Form 3 students, offering tuition in core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, and History. For upper secondary students, he said the programme extends to include tuition for all pure science subjects. "The overarching objective is to enhance students' readiness for STEM-related courses at tertiary level and to prepare them for future careers within STEM fields," he told the state legislative when winding up debates on his ministry. "Beyond free tuition, SEEP encompasses a range of supplementary activities. "These include the development of comprehensive learning modules for both teachers and students, the creation of a dedicated SEEP Management System, and the organisation of various webinars and workshops. "Furthermore, the programme facilitates crucial engagement sessions with teachers and parents."
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Science
- Borneo Post
Sagah: Inaugural Dual Language Programme Sarawak Assessment Test for Primary 6 students set for Oct 15-16
Sagah explained that the assessment covered three core subjects central to the DLP Sarawak curriculum namely Science, Mathematics, and English. – File photo KUCHING (May 26): The inaugural Dual Language Programme Sarawak Assessment Test (UP-DLP) for Primary 6 students in schools implementing this programme will be held on Oct 15 and 16, said Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. The Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister said this initiative underscored the state government's commitment to ensuring that the standard of education in Sarawak continues to meet recognised global standards. 'UP-DLP Sarawak is a standardised assessment for Primary 6 and Form 3 students taking part in DLP Sarawak. 'This initiative is a collaborative effort by my ministry, the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), the Sarawak State Education Department (JPNS), Swinburne Innovation Malaysia (SWIM), and our state-owned universities,' he said when winding up his ministerial speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting today. He explained that the assessment covered three core subjects central to the DLP Sarawak curriculum namely Science, Mathematics, and English. 'The examination papers for these subjects are developed by our local expert teachers, ensuring they are tailored to the programme's specific needs and context. 'Crucially, all examination papers will also be thoroughly vetted and verified by Cambridge University Press and Assessment (CUP&A). This rigorous process guarantees that the assessments meet international standards,' he said. He added that to formalise this partnership, SWIM signed a Contract Service Agreement with CUP&A on April 30 in Cambridge, United Kingdom, which was witnessed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. On the Sarawak Enhancement Education Programme (SEEP), Sagah said the Sarawak government has allocated RM20 million to support this programme which aims to significantly improve student performance, particularly in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination. 'A core element of this initiative is the provision of free tuition to students, specifically targeting those who have not passed their school-based examinations, with the goal of boosting their academic achievement. 'SEEP focuses on Form 3 students, offering tuition in core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, and History. For upper secondary students, the programme extends to include tuition for all pure science subjects. 'The overarching objective is to enhance students' readiness for STEM-related courses at tertiary level and to prepare them for future careers within STEM fields,' he explained. In addition to free tuition, he said SEEP also encompassed a range of supplementary activities which include the development of comprehensive learning modules for both teachers and students, the creation of a dedicated SEEP Management System, and the organisation of various webinars and workshops, as well as facilitates crucial engagement sessions with teachers and parents.
