This is the final part of a two-part series exploring how Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS) empowers rural students across Sarawak through its initiatives.
EQUAL access is at the core of TEGAS’ (Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak) mission in shaping a better future for Sarawak’s youth through education, skills and innovation.
Established with a clear mission to advance TVET, STEM and entrepreneurship among Sarawakians, its chairman Datuk Len Talif Salleh stressed that these are the tools that can spark long-term transformation, not just for individuals but also for the economy and the state.
TEGAS places strong emphasis on inclusivity by bringing programmes directly to rural and underserved communities, ensuring no one is left behind.
The non-profit organisation continues to empower young Sarawakians across diverse backgrounds with access to knowledge, tools, and opportunities that prepare them for the digital economy.
Flagship programmes to empower rural youths
Len outlined several key initiatives targeting rural youth, including the Project of Dreams Realised (Pro-DR) Roadshow and the T&T Mini Lab.
He explained that Pro-DR is a travelling outreach programme by TEGAS that visits districts such as Lawas, Kapit, Saratok, Semop, and others, aimed at providing rural students and jobseekers with access to career information and opportunities.
The roadshow also creates a direct platform for educational institutions, training providers, and employers to connect with rural youth, offering valuable exposure and engagement.
On the other hand, the T&T Mini Lab is a school-based initiative that focuses on hands-on learning, currently implemented in 11 rural secondary schools.
Len said the schools received full digital learning kits such as 3D printers, drones, mBot robotics, Arduino kits, Microbit, App Inventor and Scratch, as well as structured modules in critical thinking, problem-solving and presentation skills.
Through this programme, TEGAS engaged over 727 students from rural schools through hands-on innovation workshops in 2024, where they learned how to code, build, design and pitch.
“What’s important is that we bring this experience directly into their environment, so even if they don’t have strong internet connection or adequate facilities, they still get the same learning exposure as their peers in the city,” said Len.
From ‘kampung’ to the world stage
Len also shared an inspiring story of SMK Medamit, Limbang, a participating school under the T&T Mini Lab programme.
“Last year, their students joined the T&T Mini Lab Battlefield Competition at TEGAS Digital Village. It was the first time many of them had travelled that far just to pitch their innovation ideas. But the level of creativity and confidence they showed really impressed all of us.”
What started as a local competition led to something much bigger.
According to Len, two student teams from SMK Medamit went on to represent Sarawak at the International Creativity & Innovation Awards (ICIA) 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
“And they won Bronze and Silver in the Innovation Challenge category,” he said.
He emphasised that the achievement was a proud moment not just for the students, but for the state as a whole.
“For a rural school like Medamit to be recognised on the international stage, it really speaks volumes. It shows what can happen when we give rural students the tools, the exposure, and the encouragement,” he added.
“These are not private school students. They are anak-anak kampung, with the same potential as anyone else.”
Len said the success of SMK Medamit is proof that programmes like the T&T Mini Lab can make a real difference in rural communities.
“Their success is not just about the awards. It shows that our approach is impactful and it gives hope to other rural schools across Sarawak,” he said.
“If Medamit can do it, so can they.”
Ensuring inclusivity and addressing education and digital gap
Recognising the digital divide faced by rural communities, TEGAS is taking proactive steps to bridge the gap in access to education and technology across Sarawak.
“Our approach is always about bringing access to them, not waiting for them to come to us,” said Len.
Through programmes like the T&T Mini Lab, rural schools are equipped with STEM tools such as drones, robotics kits, and microcontrollers, alongside hands-on workshops and training for both students and teachers.
“So whether it’s through digital tools, hands-on workshops, or creative competitions, our mission is to narrow the access gap and give rural youth the same opportunities to explore, learn, and innovate,” Len stressed.
He added that TEGAS is committed to ensuring inclusivity in all its programmes, particularly for underrepresented groups such as indigenous communities and students with limited resources.
“We believe every child, regardless of where they live or their background, deserves access to quality education and equal opportunities to succeed,” he said.
He said this commitment is reflected in efforts like the Pro-DR Roadshow, which reaches remote areas including Lundu, Daro, Sri Aman, and Lawas, and the expansion of the STEM Playground to towns beyond major cities.
TEGAS also tailors its initiatives like the T&T Mini Lab in SMK Long Bedian, which serves mainly Penan and Kayan students to suit local needs, ensuring long-term impact through training, mentoring, and culturally sensitive approaches.
Communities acceptance to TEGAS initiatives
TEGAS is not just running programmes for numbers, but is focused on achieving real and measurable impact in rural communities across the state, said Len.
“We track all our programmes, not just in terms of numbers, but also in terms of real impact – especially how it benefits the rural community,” he said.
In 2024 alone, TEGAS implemented 48 programmes involving over 136,000 participants across Sarawak.
Nearly 84,484 of these were reached through community outreach efforts such as roadshows, workshops, and digital literacy campaigns, particularly targeting residents in villages and remote areas.
One of the key metrics, according to Len, is the progress seen through the T&T Mini Lab programme in rural schools.
“Since its introduction, we’ve seen encouraging results – from improved confidence in using digital tools to actual success stories like SMK Medamit, whose students went on to represent Sarawak at the international level,” he said.
TEGAS also closely monitors the number of students who choose to continue their studies in STEM and TVET-related fields.
“We work closely with public and private education institutions to create pathways for these students, including polytechnics, technical colleges, universities, and training providers who support our outreach,” he explained.
Len added that an increasing number of students have begun applying for STEM-related programmes after engaging with TEGAS activities or its partner organisations.
Beyond data, he emphasised the importance of listening to communities.
“We gather feedback directly from the ground – from teachers, parents, community leaders, and of course, the students themselves. This helps us keep our programmes relevant, practical, and sustainable in the long run.
“What really matters to us is the progress we see in our youth – when they start believing in their potential and take the next step, whether it’s furthering their studies, building a project, or joining a startup. That’s the kind of impact we’re aiming for.”
Overcoming barriers through strategic collaborations
Reaching rural and remote communities in Sarawak to deliver youth empowerment programmes is no easy feat, but through collaboration and local partnerships, TEGAS continues to make meaningful progress.
Highlighting the complexities involved,Len said one of the biggest challenges is the state’s vast and rugged geography.
“Some of these schools are located very deep in the interior, hours away by road or even by river. “Bringing equipment like 3D printers, robotics kits, and drones to these places is not easy. We also need to coordinate transportation for our team and trainers, sometimes through difficult terrain.”
In addition to logistics, Len noted that language and communication barriers also pose difficulties, especially in areas like Baram or Kapit where students and even teachers may not be fluent in Bahasa Malaysia or English.
“Many of them are more comfortable in their native or indigenous languages.
“So when we conduct workshops, we need to be sensitive. We use simple language, visual tools, and sometimes work with local facilitators who can translate and explain in their own dialect,” he said.
Despite these hurdles, Len said TEGAS has managed to deliver its programmes successfully through strong partnerships with various agencies and local stakeholders.
“This is where our partnerships become very important.
“We work closely with government agencies, public and private education institutions, and local organisations. For example, PERKESO, universities, Resident’s Offices, District Offices, District Councils, and the Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah (PPD) all play a role in helping us engage the local community and organise these activities smoothly,” he said.
He emphasised that such collaborations are not just logistical, but also instrumental in building trust with rural communities.
“Their support helps us overcome many of the practical barriers. And most importantly, their presence on the ground builds trust with the community, which is essential if we want to create long-term impact.
“So yes, the challenges are real, but with the right people working together, it becomes possible,” Len said.
Rural youths to be leaders in Sarawak’s digital landscape
Len shared that several initiatives are in the works aimed at the long-term empowerment of rural youth in Sarawak.
Among them is the continued expansion of outreach programmes, including the launch of the first primary school-level T&T Mini Lab at SK Pantu in February this year.
He said this marks the next step in TEGAS’ journey to expose children in rural schools to technology and innovation at an even younger age.
“We believe early exposure matters, and we have seen how T&T Mini Lab can build creativity, confidence, and critical thinking skills in just a few sessions.
“Our hope is that even before they reach Form 5, these students will already have the skills, mindset and confidence to take part in national and international platforms or even to come up with their own innovative solutions for their communities,” he said.
Len also highlighted the importance of forging new partnerships with industry players and educational institutions to enhance their efforts in STEM and TVET.
This includes collaborative initiatives to improve teaching materials, offer practical technical experiences, and introduce career opportunities in sectors such as energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and digital services.
With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), Len added that TEGAS is also looking into ways to introduce AI to rural students in an accessible and practical manner.
“We want our youth, even those in kampung schools to see the value and potential of these fields.
“We’re not just talking about high-level concepts, but how AI can help them solve everyday problems such as school projects,” he added.
Len said efforts are underway to raise greater awareness in rural areas not just about STEM or TVET as academic subjects, but sabout the broader digital ecosystem and how youth can play an active role in it.
“Many still lack access to information. So through our roadshows, community outreach, and school programmes, we want to make sure they know what’s possible, what’s available, and how to get involved,” he said.
He added that TEGAS’s long-term vision is to build a complete and inclusive ecosystem, starting from early education, continuing through hands-on innovation training, and eventually opening real pathways to careers or entrepreneurship.
“We don’t want rural youth to just be participants. We want them to be leaders in shaping Sarawak’s digital future,” he stressed.
