KUCHING: Sarawak is ramping up efforts to build local talent and attract global expertise as part of its long-term strategy to establish itself as a regional hub for the semiconductor industry, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said education and training are central to capacity building, with the state offering free tertiary education at Sarawak-owned universities starting next year to prepare students for high-technology fields.
“Training is important, that’s why we are providing free education at Sarawak-owned universities beginning next year.
“This is capacity building. If you want to talk about semiconductors, the basics must be there: physics and chemistry. Without that foundation, you cannot move forward,” he said during Agenda Awani’s talkshow titled ‘Sarawak Strengthens Malaysia’s Semiconductor Industry’ broadcasted via Astro Awani on Tuesday (Sept 30).
Abang Johari stressed that proficiency in English is also vital, as Sarawak students and researchers must be able to collaborate with international scientists and institutions.
“That’s why Sarawak maintains English alongside our national language. For example, when we send our students to London to work with UK-based CSA Catapult, English is the medium of interaction.
“If Sarawak wants to be a global player, our education policy must be pragmatic,” he said.
On ensuring that the benefits reach the people across Sarawak, he stressed that education and training are the keys to uplifting communities.
“In Chinese society, there is an idiom: don’t give a man a fish, give him a fishing rod and teach him how to fish. It means we must train our children, and they must work hard to play their role.
On attracting global talent, Abang Johari said Sarawak’s strategy involves combining local capacity with foreign expertise through partnerships with international companies.
“There must be a combination between locals and foreigners with expertise.
“For instance, at X-FAB, we have Belgian experts working alongside Sarawakians. At Taiyo Yuden, which produces capacitor chips for smartphones, Japanese experts are collaborating with our locals.
“This whole value chain allows Sarawakians to earn competitive salaries while gaining knowledge,” he said.
