State to increase student intake for STEM

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Awang Yusup (left) receives a token of appreciation from Sabatini while others look on.

SIBU: The state government has taken long-term measures to increase the number of students entering the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field.

Stating this, Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, said many talent developments had also been planned.

“To become the most developed state by 2030, Sarawak has to take immediate measures to increase the number of students taking up STEM to at least 40 per cent.

“Presently, the number stands at only 19 per cent,” he said during the Pro-DR Roadshow Series 4 held here yesterday.

Dr Annuar, who is also the Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health, officiated at the function. He was represented by Sibu district officer Awang Yusup Mostapha.

According to Dr Annuar, STEM is crucial to spur economic development, progress in science innovations as well as creating jobs.

Dr Annuar, who is also a board member of ‘Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Bumiputera Sarawak’ (Tegas), highlighted that STEM ensures employment opportunities in future and is the driver of state’s development especially SCORE and digital economy.

“In SCORE, we need youths skilled in technical and vocational fields. In the digital economy, we need youths skilled in high-tech and digital marketing and e-commerce.”

Adding on, he said it is also the hope of the state government to produce more digital workers to drive the state government’s agenda to develop Sarawak in 2030 through digital economy.

A total of 45 institutions and agencies participated in the roadshow.

Among those present were Tegas senior manager Sabatini Jihob, Temenggong Stanley Geramong and Pemanca James Sembilan.