KUCHING: More than 2.74 million recipients across Sarawak have benefited from educational assistance provided by Yayasan Sarawak since its establishment in 1971, reflecting its long-standing commitment to expanding access to education.
Yayasan Sarawak director Datuk Mohamad Junaidi Mohidin said the foundation had disbursed more than RM2.46 billion in educational assistance over the past 55 years through scholarships, educational loans, financial aid and various education-related programmes.
He said the assistance covered students at different levels of education, from primary school pupils to outstanding students pursuing studies at prestigious universities overseas.
“Yayasan Sarawak has consistently worked to ensure that financial constraints do not become an obstacle to the educational aspirations of anak-anak Sarawak.
“Our commitment has always been clear: every deserving Anak Sarawak must have the opportunity to pursue quality education and realise their fullest potential, regardless of their background or circumstances,” he said.
He said this in his speech at the Yayasan Sarawak 55th anniversary event at Pullman Hotel here, on Wednesday (Nov 4).
Beyond financial assistance, Junaidi said Yayasan Sarawak had also played a pivotal role in developing a comprehensive educational and technical training ecosystem through strategic investments in educational institutions and infrastructure.
He said these initiatives were aimed at nurturing local talent at every stage of the learning journey, from secondary education to advanced tertiary studies and specialised technical training.
Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, he said Yayasan Sarawak was aligning its human capital development initiatives with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) and the state’s aspiration to build a progressive, resilient and sustainable new economy.
He said Sarawak’s economic transformation, anchored on digital transformation, green energy and environmental sustainability, required a highly skilled, adaptable and globally competitive workforce.
Yayasan Sarawak is strengthening its focus on preparing the younger generation for emerging industries, including hydrogen energy, renewable power systems, carbon accounting, biotechnology and artificial intelligence.
“Our ultimate aspiration is to ensure that Sarawak’s talent pool is not merely prepared to participate in the new economy, but is equipped to lead, innovate and contribute meaningfully towards Sarawak’s transformation into a high-income and developed region,” he said.
