By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 8: The Sarawak government has allocated RM15 million to provide free laptops to 5,000 Sarawakian students in both private and public higher learning institutions (IPTA and IPTS).
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has today presented 50 laptops to the recipients from Swinburne University of Technology, i-CATS University College, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Universiti Tecknologi Mara Sarawak and polytechnics.
He noted that over 13,000 out of 35,000 Sarawakian students have applied for the free laptops and 3,535 students have applied for book vouchers in the latest initiatives by the Sarawak government, which aims to mitigate cost-of-living pressures, especially for low income groups.
“Learning has changed compared to the old days when we had to ride a bicycle to go to the library and queue up to borrow books. In this sophisticated era, knowledge is accessible digitally, including through search engines like Google. You have everything at your fingertips and what matters is whether if you are lazy or hardworking.
“The Sarawak Cabinet has decided to empower eligible Sarawakians by providing laptops for them to gain greater knowledge. With Sarawak achieving good revenue of RM13 billion (in 2023), we are giving back to our children so that they can learn, conduct research and identify a discipline to pursue,” he said.
He made these remarks when officiating the Yayasan Sarawak’s free laptop initiative and the 31st Sarawak Premier Special Award at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre today.
Emphasising Sarawak’s commitment to nurture brainpower to propel the region globally, Abang Johari urged the younger generation to explore and build knowledge in new fields, especially in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), to push Sarawak and achieve an economy driven by technology and green initiatives.
“Study hard, acquire knowledge as far as possible, and make Sarawak a star in this region,” he urged.
Meanwhile, Yayasan Sarawak director Mersal Abang Rosli, encouraged tertiary students who have not yet applied for the free laptops and book vouchers to do so before Aug 14, 2024.
This initiative, he emphasised, is part of the foundation’s ongoing efforts to close the digital gap and empower students, especially among the lower income group, by providing access to technology and learning.
The event also witnessed the presentation of 22 awards to schools, Parents and Teachers Associations (PIBG), teachers and students who have made valuable contributions in the field of education, both in terms of academic and non-academic improvement for the years 2022 and 2023.
These awards recognised their hard work and dedication in achieving excellence in education and aim to inspire students to continue striving for the best.
Overall, it involved a total special incentives of RM238,000, along with a trophies and certificates.
Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Education and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, Sarawak Education Department director Datu Dr Azhar Ahmad were among those present. — DayakDaily
