Zulkifli (centre) and students look at a product displayed at a booth put up by STIDC.
KUCHING: The Sarawak Timber and SMEs Expo 2015 and SMEs Week 2015 are a great platform to nurture interest in entrepreneurship among students.
Zulkifli Mohammad, a teacher from SMK Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Ghapur Stampin, attributed this to the presence of various local small and medium enterprises showcasing their products at the expo.
“The exposure to students is vital and I believe that our students can learn a lot from today’s visit,” said Zulkifli, who was met by The Borneo Post at the expo which was held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
“An interesting part is the timber expo where students can look at various products that can be produced from timber,” he added. Zulkifli also said the school was adopted by Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC).
“STIDC previously had brought over 50 students of our school for a four-day trip to Tanjung Manis, where they were exposed to various industries there. Apart from that, the trip was also an eye opener to the development in rural areas,” he added. A total of 13 students from Form 3, 4 and 5 from the school participated in the trip.
Meanwhile, another teacher Eduan Aleh, who led a group of 30 students from Matang Vocational College, said their visit was to expose students to various timber products available in the state.
“All the students are enrolled under the Work Technology Production course where timber is part of the subject. In the subject, they will learn the basics of timber handling and several preparation processes to turn it into final product,” said Eduan.
Ikhwan Ikmal Taufek, a Form 5 student of SMK DPHA Ghapur Stampin, said he was attracted to various timber products displayed at the expo.
“Apart from that, several participating SMEs were also showcasing interesting products. I am now determined to be an entrepreneur when the time comes,” he said.