SANDAKAN: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Hj Aman yesterday held a dialogue with 20 members from the National Professor Council (MPN) yesterday.
Musa said the one-hour dialogue was timely as it enabled him to get feedback and input to further improve upon the concept of the Sandakan Education Hub.
He said the idea of the hub was sparked off by the desire to give locals an opportunity to easily acquire accessible and affordable higher education.
“This is the original intention. So our youths do not have to go overseas or even leave the state to get tertiary education,” he said.
Musa said the MPN delegation was briefed by the Forestry Department and learnt about Sabah’s conservation and policies and programmes, including collaborations with international non-governmental organisations.
MPN chairman professor Emeritus Dato Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid said the dialogue allowed the Council to have the opportunity to directly interact with the top leadership of a state for the first time. “I consider this forum to be crucial. This is healthy … to exchange views.”
He also commended the Chief Minister for being sensitive to the importance of the developing human capital.
“We congratulate your foresight on establishing the education hub. One cannot go wrong with the development of human capital.”
All the 20 members gave their feedback and aired their views based on their visit to and briefing on the education hub.
MPN was launched by the Prime Minister a year ago and comprises 1,600 professors from 20 public universities throughout the country.