KUCHING: More initiatives will be introduced to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education among students in the Bukit Saban constituency to meet Sarawak’s growing demand for technical and professional talent.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also the assemblyman for Bukit Saban, said this is crucial as Sarawak advances into new economic sectors.
“With Sarawak going into a new economy such as the hydrogen economy, the aerospace industry, the new airport construction, the Sarawak Gas Roadmap programme, to name some, we will certainly need more and more of the relevant manpower.
“Investors eyeing to invest in Sarawak will also want to know if the state is able to provide them,” Uggah said when presenting his annual study incentives to 12 undergraduates and six diploma students from his constituency here today.
He is scheduled to present similar incentives to more students in Spaoh tomorrow.
He highlighted that these developments would create many job opportunities in the state, and added that priority for Sarawak’s free tertiary education at local higher education institutions would be given to students pursuing STEM-related fields.
Uggah also encouraged students to aim high in their academic pursuits.
“We have several PhD holders from here. If they could achieve that despite the many challenges, I am sure many of you can follow in their footsteps,” he said.
On the proposed setting up of Yayasan Sarawak International School for Betong Division, Uggah expressed his gratitude to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for approving the project.
“The syllabus at such schools will be different from those offered at our normal school. Mathematics and science will be the focus which is also inclining toward STEM education.
“So I hope our students will be prepared and be passionate enough to do very well in the two subjects in order to get admitted,” he said.
