Innovative education: Developing digitally competent rural workforce

In recent years, Sarawak has experienced a substantial increase in the number of rural students pursuing higher education. This is a positive reflection of the state's initiatives in ensuring that higher education is accessible and affordable, especially for rural students.

Based on the statistics provided by the Sarawak State Education Department, the number of rural students enrolled in higher learning institutions has shown a 25% increase from 2018 to 2022, with a total of 12,000 students pursuing higher education in 2022 alone.

In addition, based on the data provided by the Sarawak Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Research, 70% of these students have managed to obtain good employment after completing their studies, with many of them being employed in established organizations and companies in the state.

IT, engineering subjects

Interestingly, the fields that have been the most popular among rural students are engineering, computer science, and business administration, as these fields have managed to secure jobs for 40% of the graduates. This is a far cry from the scenario that was 20 years ago.

The achievement of these students can be linked to the initiatives taken by the Sarawak government, such as the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) and the Sarawak Skills Development Centre, where the students are provided with education to meet the demands of the market. The rural students in Sarawak are well equipped to compete in the job market, which has contributed to the economic growth and development in the state.

Human capital development

With the state government's continued commitment to education and human capital development, it is expected that the number of rural students pursuing tertiary education and landing good jobs will continue to rise, bridging the gap between urban and rural communities and fostering a more equitable and prosperous Sarawak,

Sarawak is at the forefront in equipping the future generation with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in today’s fast-paced digital age. Sarawak has developed an impressive platform for delivering top-notch training in computer and digital innovations, with a strong emphasis on those that are extremely applicable to the business and industry sectors.

This is possible through its premier training academies in Information Technology, such as the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS), where the youths and individuals who have completed their studies can obtain training in specialized areas in Information Technology in the latest technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G Technology, Cybersecurity, among others.

Certification, promising employment

These courses not only provide the students with valuable skills, but they can also attain certification and thus become more employable. Other prominent training centers include the SAINS Training Centre and Sarawak Skills, which provide various technical training courses. There is also the involvement of private training centers, such as the Metadise Academy.

It is important to note that the number of rural youths engaging in these activities is gradually increasing, and this is not only motivating but also crucial in bridging the gap of the digital divide in the context of economic development. By empowering its youths with the latest technology skills, Sarawak is on the verge of unlocking new opportunities for the future of its citizens through the creation of innovations and economic developments.

The Sarawak Premier has emphasized again and again in his speeches that the key to the state's efforts to bridge the rural-urban socioeconomic divide is to arm rural youths with strong IT know-how and digital skill sets, in order to gain a foothold in the modern innovation-based economy.

Premier’s key thrusts

On this trajectory, the Premier highlights three main issues. Firstly, digital literacy is no longer a luxury but a necessity; every youth in a kampung has to be able to use the internet, productivity software, and coding to be able to participate in the same knowledge-based markets that exist in urban centres.

Secondly, the driving force behind inclusive growth is created through training programs targeted at communities, as the Premier highlights the use of mobile ICT hubs, e-learning labs in schools, as well as partnerships with industry leaders in providing certified training in data analytics, cyber security, and app development directly to villages, thus eradicating geographical barriers which had previously limited access to quality education.

Thirdly, by equipping rural youth with IT skills, the “brain drain” situation is reversed to a “brain gain” situation. He gives examples of how the beneficiaries of such initiatives have established agri-tech companies, offered distant consulting services to plantation owners, or obtained distant employment with multinational companies, thus generating income and expertise in their home communities.

Through the interweaving of education, infrastructure, and industry collaboration, the Premier’s message is clear: a digitally competent rural workforce not only closes the development gap but also places Sarawak as a resilient and look-to-the-future state that looks from the forest floor to the city skyline.