SIBU: The Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development remains steadfast in strengthening education, fostering innovation and developing world-class talent.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Roland Sagah, said the ministry’s vision is anchored on three mutually reinforcing pillars—education, innovation and talent development – which collectively form the foundation of Sarawak’s long-term growth and competitiveness.
“These three pillars are fundamental to Sarawak’s future. As Sarawak progresses towards becoming a high-income, innovation-driven economy, our success will not be measured solely by technological advancement or economic growth, but by our ability to nurture a knowledgeable, creative and future-ready society,” he said.
His speech was delivered by Deputy Permanent Secretary, Caroline Cleophas Jonah, at the opening of the Borneo International Symposium of Writers and Readers 2026 (BARIS’26) at the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) here today.
Sagah said the ministry continues to prioritise STEM education, research excellence, digital transformation, lifelong learning and strategic international collaborations in line with the state’s development aspirations.
However, he stressed that innovation cannot flourish in isolation, as ideas must be effectively communicated, understood and embraced by society before they can create meaningful impact.
“Every scientific discovery begins with an idea. Every innovation must be communicated. Every researcher has a responsibility to share knowledge, while entrepreneurs and leaders must effectively communicate ideas and inspire others.
“Without effective communication, even the greatest discoveries may remain confined to laboratories or boardrooms, never reaching the communities they are meant to benefit,” he said.
He noted that nurturing writers, readers, scholars and knowledge communicators is an integral part of Sarawak’s education and innovation agenda, particularly as the state builds a knowledge-based economy where the ability to communicate ideas effectively is a valuable asset.
Researchers, he said, must actively share their findings, educators should inspire future generations, innovators need to gain the confidence of stakeholders, while industry players must translate technical expertise into practical applications that benefit society.
Describing BARIS’26 as more than a literary gathering, Sagah said the symposium serves as a strategic platform bringing together writers, readers, academics, researchers, publishers and creative industry practitioners to exchange ideas, nurture talent, promote innovation and strengthen global collaboration.
He added that the participation of delegates from various countries reflects Sarawak’s growing recognition as a regional hub for education, innovation and knowledge exchange.
“When ideas transcend borders and collaborations are forged across cultures and disciplines, new opportunities emerge for mutual benefit.
“We want our young people to be more than consumers of information. We want them to become creators of knowledge, generators of ideas, innovators of solutions and contributors to society’s development,” he said.
Among those present were Acting UTS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ir Ts Dr Mohd Shahril Osman; Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Director-General, Datuk Dr Hazami Jahari; Les’ Copaque Production Sdn Bhd’s Managing Director, Datuk Burhanuddin Md Radzi; DBP Policy and Research Department Director, Fauzilahyatun Mustafa; DBP Sarawak Deputy Director, Rasid Subet; and BARIS’26 chairman as well as UTS Publisher Director, Associate Professor Dr Muhammad Firdaus Abong Abdullah.
