SIMUNJAN: Sarawak students have been urged to strengthen their command of English as the state expands into high-value industries and seeks to develop a workforce capable of competing globally.
The Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Head of Higher Education, Sharifah Fariah Syed Junaidi, said English proficiency was increasingly important as Sarawak attracted global investments and developed sectors such as green energy, digital technology and research.
“English is not merely an academic subject, but an important professional skill.
“To lead these industries, our local talent must be able to communicate, negotiate, present research and collaborate with partners across the world. Mastering English gives our Anak Sarawak a competitive edge,” she said while officiating at the two-day Ekspo Pendidikan Yayasan Sarawak FTES at Dewan Mesra Simunjan here on Saturday.
The expo, which began on Friday, involves six primary schools and four secondary schools, with participating schools showcasing their respective innovations.
Seven higher education institutions are also participating alongside government agencies including the Health Ministry (KKM), Education Department (JPN), Social Welfare Department (JKM), Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) and Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba).
Sharifah Fariah said Sarawak’s education policies were aligned with the state’s ambition to build a high-income, technology-driven and sustainable economy under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
She said the state needed a new generation skilled in engineering, science, digital technology, green energy and leadership to support its future development.
“What we see here today is not merely an exhibition of universities, courses or application counters.
“What you see here today is a promise from the Sarawak government to every student that their family’s financial background should never become an obstacle to achieving their dreams,” she said.
She added that strengthening English proficiency did not diminish the importance of Bahasa Malaysia.
“Mastering English does not reduce the status of our national language. Instead, it strengthens our students’ ability to compete internationally,” she said.
Sharifah Fariah also highlighted the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), under which eligible Sarawak students pursuing selected undergraduate programmes will receive 100 per cent coverage of tuition fees at state-owned higher education institutions.
These include Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) and i-CATS University College.
She said assistance went beyond tuition fees, with eligible students from lower-income households receiving RM1,200 annually under the Bantuan Kewangan Khas, while FTES also provides RM10,000 for living expenses and RM5,000 for accommodation.
Eligible students may also receive laptops worth up to RM3,000 and RM300 book vouchers, while Yayasan Sarawak continues to provide education loans and scholarships for programmes outside FTES and foundation-level studies.
“Opportunities like these did not exist a generation ago. Sarawak is investing hundreds of millions of ringgit into your future because you are the workforce, the innovators and the leaders who will run our green energy plants, our digital infrastructure and our state institutions,” she said.
She encouraged students to make full use of the expo, consult counsellors at the exhibition booths, work hard towards their examinations and improve their language skills.
“Use this opportunity well. Study diligently, improve your language proficiency and seize the opportunity to build Sarawak’s future together,” she said.
