Latest news with #SarawakSkills
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Science
- Borneo Post
Sagah: Knowing 3Rs no longer enough for rural kids
Sagah (seated centre) joins guests and participants for a photo call during the STEM Catalysts Raspberry Pi 2025 programme at SMK Long Lama. KUCHING (July 18): Sarawak's rural communities must embrace Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as the foundation of the state's future, said Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. In his keynote speech at the STEM Catalysts Raspberry Pi 2025 programme held at SMK Long Lama, Baram yesterday, the State Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development said it is no longer acceptable to say that the 3Rs—reading, writing, and arithmetic—are enough for rural children. 'Our future depends on our ability to master science, technology, and digital knowledge. You too can excel in coding and STEM regardless of your location,' he was quoted as saying in a press release issued by Sarawak Skills. More than 1,000 students from rural schools across Baram gathered at SMK Long Lama for the programme, marking the largest turnout of the statewide STEM Catalyst tour to date. Held in conjunction with SMK Long Lama's Diamond Jubilee celebration, yesterday's event marked the 17th stop of the ongoing tour, spanning 18 districts from April till this month. The initiative is jointly organised by the Ministry for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, University of Technology Sarawak, and Sarawak Skills. The tour has already surpassed its initial target of reaching 130 schools, engaging over 160 rural schools and more than 6,000 students to date. In Baram, students from remote areas including SK Long Lapok travelled to SMK Long Lama to take part in the event, which featured interactive learning experiences. Among the hands-on activities were robotics, drone racing, hydraulic systems, hydrogen fuel experiments, AI-controlled robotic arms, and coding modules promoted by Persatuan Kebajikan Rolf Schnyder. A team of 20 trained STEM communicators guided students through the exhibits, explaining the science behind each activity in an engaging and accessible manner. Many students reportedly asked for longer sessions, and several teachers expressed interest in acquiring the exhibits for continued use at their schools. 'We're thrilled to see that some teachers even purchased exhibits on the spot. This kind of grassroots enthusiasm is exactly what we hoped to spark,' said Sagah. He also highlighted state initiatives aimed at removing barriers to STEM education, including next year's Free Tertiary Education Scheme which will allow students to pursue STEM degrees at state-owned institutions with full tuition waivers. 'Additionally, those from low-income households are eligible to receive an annual RM15,000 stipend. This is your chance to step into the world of STEM and help shape a smarter, stronger Sarawak,' he added. Sagah also praised the efforts of Sarawak Skills in bringing STEM programmes to remote areas like Long Lama, calling their outreach crucial in bridging the digital divide and nurturing future-ready talent across Sarawak. He acknowledged the strong collaboration with the Sarawak Education Department and Ministry of Education (MoE), and expressed hope for continued partnerships to support the state's goal of achieving 60 per cent STEM enrolment by 2030. Currently, Sarawak's STEM enrolment rate stands at 45.7 per cent. 'Today, we celebrate SMK Long Lama as a beacon of education. Tomorrow, let's celebrate it as the bastion of STEM innovation in Baram,' he said. Other STEM initiatives under the ministry include the Hornbill Foundation's 'No Kid Left Behind' programme, which delivers online STEM lessons to 11 rural secondary schools via Starlink connectivity; a collaboration with Unicef under the 'Future Skills for All' programme to train students and teachers in coding; and the SRDC BrightSparx Grant Programme, which funds student innovation projects, with the best idea receiving the Premier's BrightSparx Innovation Award. Also present at the event were Sagah's deputy minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department Datuk Gerawat Gala, Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau, and Sarawak Skills chief strategy officer Mohamad Isham Fauzi. . STEM lead Roland Sagah SMK Long Lama
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
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sarawak Skills students empowered through ‘Undi18 BridgeWorks' civic workshop
Sarawak Skills students in a photocall during the workshop. KUCHING (June 13): A total of 48 students from Sarawak Skills Kuching recently gained valuable knowledge on voting rights, leadership, and democratic participation through a workshop themed 'Undi18 BridgeWorks'. Organised by the final-year Politics and Government students from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), the civic education initiative was designed to support and prepare young voters in response to the national 'Undi18 policy', which lowered the minimum voting age in Malaysia to 18. Participants learned how to register to vote, assess political information critically, and stay engaged in the democratic process. 'This initiative supports national efforts to strengthen civic education and ensure that all young Malaysians, regardless of background, are informed, confident and ready to take part in the next voting season,' said a statement issued yesterday. The workshop was supported by the Youth Empowerment Society (YES) Sarawak, in collaboration with Rise of Social Efforts (ROSE) and Pertiwi Progresif (PRO). Focused on first-time voters aged 18 to 25 from technical and vocational backgrounds, the initiative aimed to bridge academic political theory with real-world civic understanding. The day-long programme featured interactive sessions such as leadership-building exercises, democracy simulations, and a lively panel discussion with Assoc Prof Dr Arnold Puyok, ROSE president Geoffrey Tang, and Sarawakian youth activist Ivan Alexander Ong. Kuching lead Sarawak Skills Undi18 BridgeWorks
Borneo Post
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Borneo Post
Upcoming summit in Kuching to highlight green mobility
Hallman (seated, centre) and his committee members promote the 'Green Mobility Innovation Summit 2025', set to be held in Kuching this Sept 8 and 9.7 KUCHING (June 11): The Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak, in collaboration with the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and Sarawak Skills, will be holding the 'Green Mobility Innovation Summit 2025' at Imperial Hotel Kuching, this Sept 8 and 9. Themed 'Driving the Future: Talent, Innovation and Sustainability in Green Mobility', the event is set to propel regional sustainable transport and green economy agenda. 'This year's summit theme reflects the urgent need to develop forward-looking strategies for a greener, more sustainable transport ecosystem in Southeast Asia,' said Sarawak Skills in a statement yesterday. 'The event is set to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, educators, and innovators from across the region to share expertise, foster collaboration, and promote the development of sustainable transportation solutions. 'It serves as a key component of the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025 initiative, which aims to enhance regional connectivity and sustainable development. 'Central to this vision is the promotion of eco-friendly practices in infrastructure development, efforts to improve climate resilience, and the implementation of smart city initiatives designed to reduce carbon emissions and support environmental sustainability,' it added. In the same statement, Sarawak Skills executive director Hallman Sabri remarked: 'The significance of gathering various experts and delegates in the field of green mobility lies in its potential to nurture talent for sustainable transportation – an objective that is not merely a local priority, but a shared regional goal under the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025. 'Therefore, the summit serves as an essential platform for aligning strategies, building competencies, and fostering regional cooperation in the transition toward a green economy.' The Green Mobility Innovation Summit 2025 is expected to feature more than 30 distinguished speakers and moderators from all across Asean, the UK, China, and Australia. Discussions will revolve around several key themes including 'Talent Development Through Education and Training', 'Innovative Technologies', 'Governance', and 'Global Collaboration'. 'The summit is deeply aligned with Sarawak's broader commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development. 'As outlined in the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, the Sarawak government is prioritising the green economy as a strategic growth area. 'The state has already made significant strides in clean energy and sustainable mobility. 'Among these efforts is Sarawak's pioneering work in hydrogen fuel technology, including the introduction of Southeast Asia's first hydrogen-powered buses,' said Hallman in the statement. He added that the state was also expanding its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and advancing smart city development in the urban centres, including Kuching. 'Additionally, Sarawak is investing heavily in TVET (technical and vocational education and training) to equip its workforce with the skills needed for the green and digital economy. 'These state-level initiatives position Sarawak as an ideal host for the summit and underscore its leadership in driving innovation and sustainability in the region. 'The organisers invite all participants to be part of this landmark event. 'Opportunities for collaboration are available across multiple areas, including speaker engagements, delegate participation, exhibition showcases, and joint promotional initiatives,' he pointed out. Supported by Business Events Sarawak (BE Sarawak), the Tribe Legacy Sarawak Campaign, and Sarawak–More to Discover, the 'Green Mobility Innovation Summit 2025' presents a unique platform to connect with thought leaders, explore cutting-edge technologies, and contribute to shaping a more sustainable future for the region. For further information or to register, contact Linda John Tambie via 011-2992 9916 or [email protected] ; Flavian Jerry Francis via 013-835 5675 or [email protected] ; or the secretariat via [email protected] . To know more, go to
The Sun
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Sarawak to host Green Mobility Innovation Summit Sept 8–9
KUCHING: Sarawak will host the Green Mobility Innovation Summit 2025 on Sept 8 and 9, aiming to lead discourse on sustainable transportation and regional innovation. Themed 'Driving the Future: Talent, Innovation & Sustainability in Green Mobility', the summit will be jointly organised by the Sarawak Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and Sarawak Skills. 'The event is set to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, educators and innovators from across the region to share expertise, foster collaboration and promote the development of sustainable transportation solutions,' the organisers said in a statement today. This event reflects an urgent need for forward-looking strategies to develop a greener, more sustainable transport ecosystem across Southeast Asia. It serves as a key component of the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025 initiative, which seeks to enhance regional connectivity and sustainable development through eco-friendly practices, climate resilience and smart city initiatives. In the statement, Sarawak Skills executive director Hallman Sabri said the summit's significance lies in its potential to nurture talent for sustainable transportation, a shared regional goal under BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025. 'Therefore, the summit serves as an essential platform for aligning strategies, building competencies and fostering regional cooperation in the transition toward a green economy,' he said. Featuring over 30 distinguished speakers and moderators, discussions will revolve around the subjects of talent development, innovative technologies, governance and global collaboration. The summit is also aligned with Sarawak's Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which prioritises a green economy and showcases the state's leadership in hydrogen fuel technology, electric vehicle infrastructure and smart city development. Members of the public are welcome to participate in the summit, and more information is available via email at gmis2025@
