KUCHING: Investing in people is as vital as harnessing natural resources, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
With the Sarawak government set to roll out the free tertiary education scheme for all Sarawakians next year, he said this initiative could nurture a generation ready for green technology and future jobs.
He also stressed the importance of mastering the English language while preserving one’s own mother tongue.
“For us, I think you must know English first. Master English while maintaining your own language. Then, you interact with advanced communities and set up a proper education policy. I really admire the Nordic countries, which are very advanced and provide free education. So what I am going to do is next year, I will give free education to all Sarawakians,” he said in his keynote session during the Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF 4.0), powered by Sarawak Energy, at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today (Sept 3).
He added the initiative will enable Sarawak’s younger generation to embrace emerging technologies and equip themselves with the skills needed to drive sustainability.
Abang Johari said beginning in 2026, tertiary students in Sarawak will also benefit from a focus on green technology disciplines, particularly in STEM fields such as chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and even astronomy.
“These are the disciplines that our people must grasp. With physics and chemistry as the engine of knowledge, and with AI based on algorithms, our students must position themselves for the jobs of the future,” he said.
The Premier also pointed out Sarawak’s ongoing collaboration with Cardiff University in the United Kingdom, where a dedicated research lab has been set up to expose Sarawakians to cutting-edge technologies aligned with global sustainability goals.
He reminded students attending SAREF 4.0 that they are in a far better position to seize opportunities than previous generations.
“Today, technology is right in your hands. For today’s generation, the reality is you must have the determination and the spirit to struggle for the future,” he said.
