SIBU: The Sarawak government is calling on young people who are pursuing their studies abroad to return home after their studies and contribute to the state’s rapidly developing development.
Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, stressed that the state government was committed to strengthening the education ecosystem, especially in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), as a long-term strategy to build high-quality human capital.
“One of the main pillars of this effort is the implementation of the Dual Language Programme (DLP) launched in 2020, where Science and Mathematics subjects are taught entirely in English starting from Year One.
“This step aims to form a strong foundation from the early stages so that students are better prepared to pursue higher level learning using English as the main medium,” he explained at the PETRONAS Empowering Knowledge: Discover PETRONAS @ School programme held at SMK Kampung Nangka here today (Aug 29).
Sagah also emphasised that apart from the DLP, the state government through his ministry (MEITD) had implemented various innovative initiatives such as digital literacy classes, computer programming and robotics which were all using English in line with the needs of the 4.0 Industrial Revolution.
“We are not just educating for today, we are building future leaders. Therefore, we hope that Sarawakian children who have studied abroad will return and use their expertise to drive the development of their beloved state,” said the Tarat assemblyman.
He added that his recent visit to several areas throughout Sarawak showed the effectiveness of the implementation of the STEM programme.
At Curtin University, he said, collaboration with international bodies such as NASA and SpaceX proved the ability of local institutions to compete on the global stage.
“This year, we will start offering the Aerospace Engineering programme at ICATS University, thus opening up more space for local children to get involved in the field of space technology,” he said.
Sagah also expressed pride in local universities such as University Technology of Sarawak (UTS) in Sibu, Swinburne University in Kuching and Curtin University in Miri which provided various engineering courses ranging from oil and gas to green technology—in line with PETRONAS’ aspirations.
“Close collaboration between the education sector and industry as brought by PETRONAS is very important in providing students with real skills that are needed by the real-time job market now,” he added, appreciating the role of PETRONAS and the State Education Department (JPNS) in strengthening the state’s education landscape.
Sagah also praised the high commitment of Sarawak parents who were never tired of supporting their children’s education despite facing economic and social challenges.
“This is the spirit we want to foster — the spirit of not giving up easily, the spirit of moving forward. Education is not just the government’s responsibility, it is the collective responsibility of the entire people,” he said.
Sagah also praised PETRONAS’ efforts in organising a STEM-based programme targeting secondary school students, describing it as a key catalyst for the development of national talent and innovation.
“I am confident that initiatives like this will not only support the Malaysian Education Development Plan 2013–2025 but will also further strengthen Sarawak’s ambition to achieve the status of a developed and high-income state by 2030 through continuous investment in education and human capital development,” he added.
Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee was among those present.
