Abdullah (seated front, centre) with Awangku Merali on his right and other guests in a photo-call with students and local community leaders at the launch of the PRO-DR roadshow.
BINTULU: School-leavers who do not have the opportunity to further their studies at universities should look into technical education as a means to empower themselves.
In this regard, Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs Abdullah Saidol said community leaders at grassroots level must play their role in promoting technical education to this target group.
“Even though they (school-leavers) may not have the opportunity for further studies at university, there is still a chance for them to empower themselves through technical education,” he said at the launch of ‘Project of Dreams Realised’ (PRO-DR) roadshow here yesterday.
The roadshow is run by Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Bumiputera Sarawak (Tegas).
According to Abdullah, Sarawak has a small population of 2.7 million people, of which 40 per cent are young people aged 40 and below.
He added that in 2012, then-chief minister Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud set up Tegas with a mission of exposing more youths to technical education, given that they would form the workforce of the future.
(From left) Awangku Merali and Abdullah take a closer look at a component of a drone during their tour at the PRO-DR roadshow.
At the same time, Abdullah emphasised the need for students to strengthen their command of the English language.
“If you want to play on the global arena and not just be a ‘jaguh kampung’ (‘village champion’), English is the language that you have to master,” he stressed.
Abdullah said it was important for students to enjoy their studies at school and never to look down on themselves or their abilities.
“For your information, I was never in the top 10 in my class but in my heart, I was always determined to finish my studies and learn as much as I could within my abilities.
“I explored everything in life when I was in university.
I was always playful, but I also made sure that I stayed focused on my studies,” he added.
Tegas chief operating officer Awangku Merali Pengiran Mohamed was among those present at the launch.
School-leavers stop by at one of the exhibition counters at the roadshow to enquire about the availability of some technical courses.