By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 8: Sarawak is laying the groundwork to build a new generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to support its shift toward a low-carbon economy, but the numbers are still being compiled, says Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
Answering questions from the media today after officiating the Green Mobility Innovation Summit 2025 at Imperial Hotel here on behalf of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sagah said it was too early to determine how many scientists and engineers Sarawak would produce by 2030.
“It depends on the intake of each university. These are very technical fields, so you cannot just have 500 or 1,000 students at one go,” he explained, adding that the government is still compiling the data.
He revealed that Sarawak’s free tertiary education initiative will cover 64 science-related courses starting next year, with applications already open.
However, the overall output of graduates will depend on entries into the four local universities—Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University of Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak and i-CATS University College.
Sagah noted that a human resource survey is being carried out to align industry needs with graduate supply, though some companies remain reluctant to disclose their manpower requirements.
“For government-related projects, especially those in Bintulu involving gas conversion and hydrogen, we have clearer projections. But we are still compiling,” he added.
The two-day Green Mobility Summit 2025 is co-organised by the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak (MEITD), Sarawak Skills, and Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
Themed “Driving the Future: Talent, Innovation & Sustainability in Green Mobility”, the summit aims to foster cross-border partnerships, knowledge exchange, and pilot programmes.
At the opening ceremony, Sagah also witnessed the signing of strategic agreements by Sarawak Skills to boost technical and vocational training.
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with Temasek Polytechnic (Singapore), Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (Philippines), Ruane-TATI Sdn Bhd, SIB Mili Sdn Bhd, EPOMS Sdn Bhd, Lembaga Perindustrian Nanas Malaysia, BrainScience Academy Sdn Bhd, EX Global Sdn Bhd, and SK SAF Sdn Bhd.
Meanwhile, Memoranda of Agreement (MoAs) with IMPAC and SD Guthrie, as well as a formal Agreement with TH Plantations Berhad, further cement efforts in workforce upskilling and sustainable industry practices.
Among those present were Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESty) Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni and BIMP-EAGA chairperson for Socio-Cultural and Education Cluster, Anielia Siam. – DayakDaily
