By Jacob Achoi
KUCHING, May 21: Sarawak needs to achieve an enrollment of at least 60 per cent of students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) packages by 2030, said Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
He said the percentage was spelt out under the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) announced by the state government.
Sagah pointed out that at the moment only 30 per cent of students in the State are enrolled in STEM packages.
Officiating at the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) Biodiversity Day 2022 and Litsara Benefit Sharing Agreement (BSA) signing ceremony at SBC today, Sagah said the event is focused on bringing awareness to science and technology.
“Such activities are important to support Sarawak’s effort to increase STEM graduates and workforce in view that the State needs to achieve 60 per cent students in STEM by 2030,” Sagah said.
He added that his ministry is tasked in looking into the development of talents needed for the State, which needs highly skilled researchers and graduates to reach its aspirations to become a global innovation cluster by 2030.
Sagah further said that SBC has one of the most advanced laboratories for biodiversity research in the State, which is fully funded by the state government.
“I see there is a potential for SBC to contribute to this role through its industrial student training programme as well as being a centre for the exchange of scientists to promote collaboration,” Sagah stressed.
He also said he is happy to note that the Litsara project has acquired new funding support from Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (Teraju).
Present was State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, who is also chairman of Sarawak Biodiversity Council. — DayakDaily
