By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 15: The Sarawak Space Challenge 2026 hackathon will bring together 6,500 young innovators from across the region this November as part of an initiative to nurture the next generation of problem solvers.
According to a news report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), the two-day innovation challenge will take place from Nov 14 to 15 at four locations, namely Kuching, Sibu, Miri and, for the first time, Bintulu.
Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said the programme reflects the Sarawak government’s commitment to strengthening talent development and equipping young people with the skills needed to compete globally.
“Education is the key to transforming Sarawak into a high-income State. That is why we are providing free tertiary education in Sarawak and implementing various talent development initiatives.
“Through programmes such as the Sarawak Space Challenge, we are ensuring that our youth are prepared to compete globally,” he said during the launch of the Sarawak Space Challenge 2026 at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus here today.
Formerly known as NASA Space Apps Sarawak, the programme provides students with exposure to Earth and space sciences through participation in the NASA International Space Apps Challenge, which is the world’s largest hackathon supported by NASA experts from the United States.
Sagah said the initiative has attracted more than 18,000 participants over the past four years. This year, 50 school roadshows will also be conducted statewide to encourage greater participation among students.
The Kuching leg of the challenge will be held at Makeramai Makerspace SDEC at Plaza Merdeka, while the other venues are University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) in Sibu, Pustaka Miri, and a new venue in Bintulu supported by OCI TerraSus Sdn Bhd.
The Sarawak Space Challenge 2026 will also welcome two new collaborators, including OCI TerraSus Sdn Bhd and Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, joining existing strategic partners such as Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), Realfun Academy, SOL Digital, Curtin University Malaysia, UTS, i-CATS University College, Sarawak Science Centre and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak.
Registration for the challenge is now open, giving participants the opportunity to collaborate, gain insights from industry mentors and turn their ideas into innovative solutions.
Also present at the launch were head of Innovation Division representing the permanent secretary of MEITD Dr Cheong Yaw Liang; SDEC general manager (Innovation and Entrepreneurship) Cletus Lee Aik Yew; UTS acting vice chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Shahril Osman; and senior assistant director of the Student Development Sector representing the Sarawak Education Department director, Johnny Rasit. — DayakDaily
