Ting (second left) presents a memento to Mariam while Lau (left) and Dr Azahar look on.
MIRI (May 24): Entrepreneurs will be invited to share their experience at the Datuk Sebastian Education and Career Fair next year to widen the horizon of school leavers in making informed decisions regarding their career.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting said this fair is to provide a bigger platform of exposure for school leavers with different interests and inclination.
”This serves as a one-stop centre as not all students are academically inclined, and some may be good in business or technical skills while this fair also caters for matching employers with employees.
“This platform is to enable students to make up their mind on what career to pursue, and I thank the state Education Department led by Datu Dr Azhar Ahmad, Sosco (Social Security Organisation) and corporations for their strong support for this event,” he said.
The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) secretary-general and Piasau assemblyman said this when launching the 3rd Datuk Sebastian Education and Career Fair from May 24-25 at Pullman Hotel here.
The initiative resonates with Sarawak government’s emphasis on talent development to meet the high demand for skilled workers by 2030, and to meet this objective it will provide free tertiary education starting 2026 and is establishing five international schools in the state.
On the projected number of Sarawakians eligible for free tertiary education, he said it will be subject to acceptance by the respective universities or colleges.
The 3rd Datuk Sebastian Education and Career Fair is the biggest held since it started, with 49 universities and colleges joined by 23 companies participating this year.
Meanwhile, the deputy minister commended Petronas for coming onboard this year for this fair which he started with the aim of addressing the need for jobs and career post-Covid pandemic when many lost their jobs and businesses.
Organising chairperson Leslie Lau said this event held just a week before the announcement of SPM results by the Ministry of Education is timely for school leavers in making up their minds on what career to pursue.
With the participation of education consultancy MMS Miri, Miri District education office and Socso, the event aimed at bringing together a diverse range of universities from Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Canada and the USA.
Meanwhile, job seekers are taking the opportunity to seek employment at companies from Miri, Bintulu and Peninsular Malaysia during the fair.
Miri District education officer Mariam Monek was also present at the opening ceremony.