KUCHING: Emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) continues to be strengthened as Sarawak's main strategy in producing a highly skilled workforce, opening up more future career opportunities for the locals.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said demand for skilled talent in the field is increasing in line with the state’s rapid development and growing adoption of new technologies.

According to him, to ensure local graduates remain relevant to the needs of industries, the Sarawak Government has introduced the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) which offers 64 STEM-based study programmes.

“These courses may be challenging, which is why we encourage our young people to take subjects related to STEM, because our economy up to 2037 will revolve around courses that may appear difficult, but we want to encourage our children to enter these fields because jobs are waiting for them,” he said.

He said this when speaking during the closing ceremony of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Convention at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Sunday.

Elaborating further, the GPS Chairman stressed that this approach is crucial in addressing the issue of job mismatch among graduates, especially those with a tendency to choose fields that are less in demand.

At the same time, Sarawak is also facing a shortage of experts in critical fields such as surveyors, engineering and information technology, thus reinforcing the need to expand participation in STEM fields.

In this regard, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari stressed that the transition to a new economy calls for new expertise and skills to ensure the state’s development can be implemented more effectively and sustainably.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, Sarawak Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, and other dignitaries. -UKASnews

Prepared By: Nur Nabilla
Photo: Ibanez Jeffery Guang
Translator: Nerissa Sia