KUCHING: Rural students across Sarawak will have greater opportunities to experience science beyond the classroom through immersive learning programmes at the Sarawak Science Centre (SSCiEX), complete with hostel facilities that will allow schools from remote areas to stay overnight during educational visits.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the SSCiEX was designed to complement classroom learning by giving students hands-on exposure to science through interactive exhibits, laboratories and practical demonstrations, while enabling teachers to reinforce lessons taught in schools.
He said the availability of hostel facilities within the SSCiEX’s compounds would make it easier for schools, particularly those from rural and interior areas, to organise visits thus allowing students to spend more time exploring the exhibits, participating in laboratory sessions and gaining practical exposure to scientific concepts.
“The important thing is the teachers – they can bring their students here. The SSCiEX has a hostel. So, they do not have to worry about accommodations,” he said when declaring open the SSCiEX today.
Abang Johari said the SSCiEX was built to make science more engaging and accessible by encouraging students to learn through exploration, experimentation and interactive activities instead of relying solely on textbooks.
He pointed to pupils from SK Batu Bungan from Mulu as an example of how exposure to science and technology could inspire young people from rural communities to excel.
The pupils captivated guests during the launching ceremony with a synchronised drone light show, demonstrating skills they had developed through drone technology programmes.
Earlier this year, the school earned international recognition after receiving the Most Promising Talent Award and finishing fifth overall in multiple events at the 2026 Hula for Learning International Drone Competition in Hong Kong.
Abang Johari said achievements such as those by SK Batu Bungan demonstrated that students from rural communities possessed immense potential when given access to quality learning opportunities and modern technology.
As such, he expressed hope that more schools from across Sarawak would take advantage of the SSCiEX’s facilities to inspire students to pursue STEM thus helping to nurture the next generation of innovators needed to support the state’s future development.
“The SSCiEX is for our young people. They already have the creativity, so our responsibility is to provide them with the exposure and technology they need to realise their potential,” he added.
