KUCHING: The state government is ramping up efforts to nurture a generation of youth who are not only industry-ready but also culturally rooted as Sarawak strides forward towards its 2030 development vision.
Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said the state government is focused on producing skilled talents who are not only adaptable to market demands but also rooted in their identity.
He stressed the critical role of higher education institutions in producing talents equipped to face the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“To realise the Post-COVID Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), we must build a workforce that is not only educated, but trained, adaptable and proud of their identity,” he said at the Segulai Sejalai i-CATS event held at i-CATS University College today.
He said institutions such as the International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak (i-CATS) have been tasked with aligning academic and technical training programmes to the demands of Sarawak’s economic blueprint.
Additionally, he said the Sarawak government is also placing renewed emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), viewing it as a credible and crucial alternative to conventional academic routes.
“TVET graduates are no longer seen as second-tier. They are the backbone of industrialisation,” he said.
While preparing students for a competitive global economy, he stressed the importance of maintaining cultural identity.
“Education must also instil a sense of who we are.
“In this era of globalisation, we want our young people to be globally competitive, yet deeply connected to their local heritage and values,” he said.
