Saifuddin says building a good society begin with a good man, not a good educated workers
MEETING THE MEDIA: (From left) Saifuddin, Johari and Dr Rahman speak to the press after the Intellectual Discussion session.
KUCHING: Higher education is not only a matter of passing exams or getting a job but also of building a good society.
Deputy Minister of Higher Learning Dato Saifuddin Abdullah said that a good society begins with a good man, not a good worker.
“Education isn’t about producing a good worker,” he said when delivering his speech at the launch of an intellectual discussion organised by Kuching Community College and Sarawak National Youth Organisation (Saberkas).
Work and employability were things that would come from having higher education, but producing a good man was more important, he said.
“From there, we can hope for a good society.”
Saifuddin added that every decision must be made based on knowledge, not feelings.
“We are always in the pursuit, development and sharing of knowledge,” he said, adding that the ministry would soon be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with higher learning institutions in Sarawak and Saberkas to launch a more strategic relationship.
Saberkas president Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg echoed Saifuddin’s sentiments, adding that Malaysia was in need of people who can command knowledge par excellence.
“We want people who can recognise problems and find solutions.
“We have the skills and resources, and we have to centralise our human capital so we can compete with other nations.
“The future will depend on how strong we are and it is the young people who will determine our future,” he said. Abang Johari, who is also Housing and Urban Development Minister, added that Saberkas always work closely with the college to bring youths back to society, especially those who found themselves sidelined after secondary school.
“We want them to know that it’s not the end of the world for them.
“You have another place to pursue skills that will enable you to make a living, especially when Kuching is going to be a tourism and hospitality hub and the driving force in the city’s economy.”
“The state is going to need people who are well trained in hospitality,” he said, “and this is a skill that can be learned from Kuching Community College.”
Also present to facilitate the event was Pantai Damai assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.