CM: Imagination the first step to innovation, solving challenges

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Abang Johari visits an exhibition booth at the expo.

KUCHING: Sarawak needs people who have the imagination to use technology to add value to the resources that the state has, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said.

He pointed out that Sarawak is blessed with abundant resources, and that he is confident in the talents of Sarawakians who are a hardworking lot and who will find solutions to any challenges presented to them.

“Sarawak has a lot of water, therefore I believe one day, with the passion and focus of our young students, we can export hydrogen (produced) from our water. That is a result of technological change,” he said prior to closing the Sarawak Invention, Innovation and Design Expo (SIIDEx) 2019, here yesterday.

As such, Abang Johari stressed that education policies must be directed towards developing critical thinking.

“Our students must be able to criticise, ask questions, and if there are weaknesses, our students must be able to find solutions to strengthen those weaknesses.

“These are the three elements. Then apply the knowledge and produce new products as a result of critical thinking,” he said.

Pointing to advanced countries as using science and mathematics as the basis for their technological developments, the chief minister said it is necessary to start creating interest in research and technology from young, as it would be difficult to achieve something if students do not have a strong grasp of the relevant subjects.

Meanwhile, Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin noted that with the state heading into the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0), jobs will no longer be the same as what they used to be in the past.

He said a new approach is needed for today’s students to prepare them for the challenges of IR4.0.

“We cannot just go for innovation. Innovation is the aim. We have to start with imagination.

“From imagination then you come to creativity, from creativity to invention, then innovation,” he said.

Manyin also urged parents to inculcate interest in mathematics and science in their children, so that more students will be interested in fields relating to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

SIIDEx 2019 was a collaboration between Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak; Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research; Sarawak Education Department; and Sarawak Multimedia Authority to promote and nurture interest in science and technology among school students.

This year, a total of 541 participants submitted their products for a competition which formed part of the expo, with 128 products contested in four categories. The entries were judged based on originality, creativity, functionality, commercial potential and quality of presentation.

Among those present were Utilities Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi; Education, Science and Technological Research Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee; and UiTM Sarawak rector Professor Dato Dr Jamil Hamali.