DALAT: Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) Dalat Campus has become the first training centre in the state to combine elderly care and palliative care under a single, structured programme to develop professional caregivers who are skilled, empathetic and ethically trained.
Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said the programme addressed the ongoing shortage of qualified caregivers, a concern raised at the recent Sarawak International Conference on Ageing (SICA) 2025.
She said the issue was highlighted by MyAgeing Director, Associate Professor Dr Rahimah Ibrahim, who noted the growing demand for trained caregivers in both formal and informal sectors.
“This programme equips caregivers with the skills needed for elderly care and palliative care in one holistic platform.
“If the Philippines can train and export caregivers to countries like Abu Dhabi and Dubai, why can’t CENTEXS Dalat do the same?
“We can develop caregivers with high empathy and strong professional ethics – that is our mission,” she said at the CENTEXS Dalat Campus launching ceremony here today.
Fatimah, who is Dalat assemblywoman, said the CENTEXS Senate had also approved new language programmes under the Language Technology Centre, covering Melanau, English and Mandarin.
She said learning multiple languages would allow trainees to communicate better while understanding cultural values linked to each community.
She added that including the Melanau language was important for preserving the cultural heritage, traditions and identity of the local community.
Additionally, Fatimah said CENTEXS Dalat reflected the government’s commitment to inclusive development by bringing quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) closer to rural districts.
She said the centre, which offers 16 core programmes and 10 Community Technology Outreach Programmes (CTOP), would help rural youths gain skills aligned with Sarawak’s new economy.
“CENTEXS Dalat serves as a catalyst for social mobility among rural families, in line with the Premier’s aspiration for truly inclusive development where no area or community is left behind as Sarawak moves towards developed and high-income status by 2030,” she added.
