KUCHING: The Sarawak Space Challenge 2026 empowers talent development, producing a globally competitive generation that continues to strengthen the talent development agenda in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by targeting the participation of 6,500 participants this year in preparation to produce a young generation that is globally competitive.
Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said, the initiative spearheaded by his ministry is one of the state government's strategic efforts to develop human capital in line with the aspiration of making Sarawak a high-income state.
"Education is the key to transforming Sarawak into a high-income state. That is why we provide free tertiary education in Sarawak and various other talent development initiatives. Through programmes such as the Sarawak Space Challenge, we ensure our youth are ready to compete at the global level," he said.
He said this while speaking at the Sarawak Space Challenge 2026 Launch Ceremony at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, here, on Wednesday.
According to him, the programme previously known as NASA Space Apps Sarawak is an initiative of the ministry to give students exposure to earth and space science through participation in the NASA International Space Apps Challenge, the world's largest hackathon with the support of NASA experts from the United States.
During the four years of its organisation, the programme has attracted the participation of more than 18,000 individuals, while a total of 50 school tour series will be implemented this year to expand participation among students throughout Sarawak.
Dato Sri Roland Sagah also welcomed the participation of two new collaboration partners, namely OCI TerraSus Sdn Bhd and Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, together with existing strategic partners including Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), Realfun Academy, SOL Digital, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), i-CATS University College, Sarawak Science Center and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak make the programme a success.
The Sarawak Space Challenge Hackathon 2026 is scheduled to take place on November 14 to 15 in four locations namely Kuching, Sibu, Miri and for the first time in Bintulu.
The locations of the programme include Makeramai Makerspace SDEC at Plaza Merdeka, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) in Sibu, Pustaka Miri as well as a new location in Bintulu supported by OCI TerraSus.
Registration to participate in Sarawak Space Challenge 2026 is now open to the public, with participants having the opportunity to obtain mentor guidance, feedback from the jury panel and experience solving real-world challenges through an international-class innovation platform.
Also present was the Head of Innovation Division representing MEITD Permanent Secretary Dr Cheong Yaw Liang, SDEC General Manager, Innovation & Entrepreneurship representing SDEC Chief Executive Officer Cletus Lee Aik Yew, UTS Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Ir Ts Dr Mohammad Shahril Osman and the Principal Assistant Director of the Pupil Development Sector representing the Director of the Sarawak State Education Department Johnny Rasit. -UKASnews
