By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 14: Twenty young Sarawakians have been groomed as future partners in State development under the Next Generation of Sarawak (NEXTGEN Sarawak) 2026 programme spearheaded by Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS).
TEGAS chief executive officer Udin Bujang said the initiative was created as a structured and inclusive platform to develop youth leadership based on Sarawak’s needs, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and entrepreneurship.
“NEXTGEN Sarawak is designed to connect young people with the State’s development direction and ensure that no community or region is left behind in building Sarawak’s future,” he said at the closing and certificate presentation ceremony held at 56 Hotel last night (Feb 13).
He explained that participants were exposed to workshops and briefings on STEM and TVET, entrepreneurship, digital economy, Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES).
The programme also included proposal-writing training, group discussions and idea presentations aimed at strengthening strategic thinking, teamwork and communication skills among the youths.
Udin said NEXTGEN Sarawak builds on TEGAS’ youth development initiatives that have been carried out since 2012, including the TEGAS Youth Forum, Sarawak Youth Leaders and Community Innovation Literacy (COMIL).
“These initiatives support Sarawak’s aspiration to become a high-income State by 2030 through skilled, innovative and competitive human capital,” he added.
As part of the programme, a 20-member NEXTGEN Sarawak Committee was formed, comprising students aged between 18 and 28 from universities and colleges across Sarawak, and will serve as a youth leadership platform and a link between youth communities and TEGAS for the next two years.
Udin urged the committee members to carry out their responsibilities with integrity and to represent the voices of young Sarawakians in future engagements with the agency.
Also present were Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Higher Education Division chief Sharifah Fariah Syed Junaidi, TEGAS Community Innovative Learning senior manager Fredick Kevin Buseli and Sarawak Skills Senior Sales Executive Awang Mohamad Hasrekim Awg Yusof. – DayakDaily
