By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 6: Sarawak Energy Berhad continues to nurture local talent in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through its flagship Sarawak Community Innovation and Engineering Convention (SCIENCE), held for the seventh consecutive year at The Spring Shopping Mall here today.
Sarawak Energy’s Senior Vice President for Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE), Marconi Madai, said SCIENCE—a key initiative under the company’s Powering Young Minds programme—serves as a platform to equip Sarawak’s youth with future-ready skills, particularly in STEM-related fields.
Addressing students at the two-day programme, he highlighted that the company provides scholarships to outstanding Sarawakians pursuing tertiary education in Malaysia or abroad.
“We also run other educational programmes and bursaries, so keep an eye out for those opportunities,” he said during the closing ceremony.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Marconi explained that while the scholarships are only available to those pursuing tertiary education, the SCIENCE participants who are still in primary and secondary school, are encouraged to prepare early and remain informed about future opportunities as they progress into diploma, degree and postgraduate levels.
“We are encouraging more students to pursue disciplines such as engineering, finance, law and ICT, as these are the key areas we support. So they will have the opportunity for that,” he added.
This year’s convention, themed ‘Circular Digital Economy’, attracted 169 participants, comprising 129 students and 40 teachers, from Kuching, Serian, Padawan, Kota Samarahan and Batu Kitang.
Facilitated by The Learning Curve, participants were challenged to design and build intelligent waste-sorting systems using advanced digital tools such as the BBC micro:bit, Edu:pico RP2040 and Husky Lens AI sensors, integrating practical exposure to innovation, artificial intelligence and circular economy principles.
The two-day programme also featured hands-on outreach workshops, structured competitions, exhibitions, as well as career and education talks to further inspire interest in STEM pathways.
The event culminated in an awards ceremony recognising top-performing teams and individuals. In the Primary School category, SJKC Chung Hua 4.5 Team 2 emerged as champions, winning RM1,200. SJKC Chung Hua Sg Lubak Team 2 came in second (RM800), followed by SK Jalan Arang Team 1 in third place (RM600).
In the Secondary School category, St Joseph’s Private S-16 claimed the top prize of RM1,000, while SMK Sungai Tapang S-02 took second place (RM700), and Lodge International S-11 secured third place (RM500). Additional awards were also presented for innovation, coding, and best female team.
Since its launch in 2018, SCIENCE has been instrumental in promoting collaboration, problem-solving, and awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)—all essential to building a future-ready, skilled workforce for Sarawak’s digital economy.
The 2025 edition was supported by the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS), Ministry of Education (MOE) and The Spring Mall.
Also present were SDEC Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hazwan Razak and The Learning Curve founder Kenneth Chai. – DayakDaily
