KUCHING: Sarawak wants its young engineers to gain international exposure and become professionals capable of contributing anywhere in the world.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said his vision was not for ‘Anak Sarawak’ to receive their education in the state only to remain and work locally.
He said he wanted Sarawakians to be recognised as capable and dependable professionals who could contribute at the highest level.
“I want them to see the world, gain international exposure, work alongside the best and contribute wherever opportunities may take them. Wherever they go, I want them to carry the name of Sarawak proudly.
“Our ambition is to build a Sarawak that is prosperous, inclusive and sustainable, and for ‘Anak Sarawak’ to be recognised for the quality of what they can contribute to the region and the world,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the opening of the 34th General Assembly of the Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and the Pacific (FEIAP) and World Engineering Congress at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Abang Johari said developing local talent is important as modern infrastructure and new technologies alone would not be sufficient if Sarawak remained dependent on others for solutions.
He said educating Sarawakians will enable them to adapt and improve technology, and eventually develop solutions of their own.
He said this is among the reasons the state introduced the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) at state-owned universities.
“We want our young people, our ‘Anak Sarawak’, our very own children of Sarawak to have every opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they will need for the future economy,” he added.
As such, Abang Johari said FEIAP could complement these efforts by connecting young engineers with professional institutions, industries and fellow engineers across Asia and the Pacific.
Through these networks, he said they could gain experience, build confidence and develop an international outlook.
“We do not only want to develop engineers for Sarawak. We want ‘Anak Sarawak’ to contribute to the region and the world, and, wherever they may be, to remain strong ambassadors for Sarawak,” he said.
