BY JACINTHA JOLENE & ESZRYEEN KRIS
KUCHING: Producing more experts and professionals is a key aspiration for the Pantai Damai constituency as Sarawak continues to build a highly skilled workforce to support its emerging industries.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, Kuching North City Commission and Islamic Affairs), Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, said the state’s rapid growth in high-technology sectors has significantly increased demand for local engineers, scientists and other technical professionals.
“Our goal is to produce as many experts and professionals as possible across various fields to drive Sarawak’s future development. We want our own children, including those from Pantai Damai, to seize these opportunities,” he said during the ‘Majlis Anugerah Pelajar Cemerlang Peringkat DUN N.4 Pantai Damai Tahun 2026’ event at Wisma SABATI here today (July 12).
Dr Abdul Rahman said recent industrial developments illustrate the state’s growing need for skilled workers, noting that Western Digital facility in Samajaya alone requires about 600 engineers, while industries in Bintulu have indicated a need for another 400 engineers.
He said Sarawak also requires more scientists with advanced expertise to support future industries, including the state’s aerospace programme.
According to him, the Sarawak Government has initiated an aerospace programme at iCATS University College focusing on the development of small satellites for low-Earth orbit, creating opportunities for local scientists and engineers to contribute to the sector.
He said the government wants these high-skilled positions to be filled by Sarawakians and is therefore investing heavily in education to prepare the younger generation for future careers.
Dr Abdul Rahman also highlighted two key education initiatives introduced by the Sarawak Government to support this goal, namely the Sarawak Year Six Dual Language Programme Assessment Test (UPDLP), which incorporates elements of the Cambridge curriculum, and the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES).
He said FTES provides eligible Sarawakian students with fully funded undergraduate studies at state-owned universities, including iCATS University College, the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), Curtin University Malaysia, and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, particularly in STEM-related disciplines.
He encouraged students to pursue higher education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as well as selected programmes in psychology, accountancy and law, to take advantage of the opportunities provided under the scheme.
Dr Abdul Rahman stressed that no child should be left behind in education, expressing hope that every student would progress from preschool to university with the support of parents, teachers and the wider community.
He said his service centre has also introduced an education incentive programme for students receiving offers from universities, colleges, polytechnics and matriculation institutions, with the number of recipients increasing steadily over the years.
According to him, about 80 students from Pantai Damai have secured places at higher learning institutions in the latest intake, reflecting the positive impact of continuous efforts by schools, parents and the community to encourage academic excellence.
He urged students to remain focused on their studies and strive for excellence so they can contribute to Sarawak’s future as a knowledge-driven and innovation-based economy.
