KUCHING: Thirty-nine graduates from the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) have been selected as the inaugural cohort of the newly launched Post-Course Entrepreneurship Programme, an initiative aimed at transforming artisanal skills into successful business ventures.
The announcement was made by CENTEXS chief executive officer Datuk Syeed Mohd Hussien Wan Abdul Rahman, who also officiated the Alta Moda Soirée held at The Waterfront Hotel here today.
According to him, the programme is designed to position Sarawak as a rising contender in the global luxury fashion market, beginning with locally made footwear.
“This is not just about producing shoes. It is about building a legacy, something that can carry the Sarawak name to the world stage
“For the past 10 years, we have been known for technology. But wherever there is an industry to be developed, CENTEXS will be there. That includes fashion,” he said.
CENTEXS’ venture into fashion took a major leap forward through its collaboration with world-renowned designer Professor Datuk Jimmy Choo, leading to the establishment of a Jimmy Choo-inspired shoemaking academy in Singapore, the first of its kind in the world.
To date, approximately 40 students have undergone intensive training under the initiative, with several sent to Indonesia and Italy for further industry exposure.
“We usually send our students overseas for one or two weeks to gain insights into the full scope of the fashion industry, from the supply chain to the value chain,” said Syeed.
He urged graduates to think beyond production and focus on creating exclusive, high-end brands capable of competing internationally.
“We want to create the next Gucci or Louis Vuitton, but made in Sarawak. And to do that, you need to make something rare, something only the best can afford,” he said.
He also advised aspiring entrepreneurs to find their niche and avoid mass-market competition.
“Do not build for everybody. Build for the top. When royalty and CEOs wear your brand, the rest will follow,” he said.
Syeed pointed to CENTEXS’ existing retail platforms, including Jumani Pavilion and The Sense of Malaysia at the airport, as strategic avenues for graduates to showcase and market their designs.
He further announced that the new entrepreneurship programme would serve as a post-training incubation platform, providing continued support for graduates of the CENTEXS shoemaking certificate course.
“This is only the beginning. We will continue working with each of you until you realise your own handmade legacy,” he said.
