Higher STEM participation a must to realise 2030 goal

BELAGA (July 30): The participation rate of students entering the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) field must at least reach 40 per cent to help Sarawak achieve the goal of becoming the most advanced state by 2030.

According to Tegas Community Innovative Learning senior manager Fredick Kevin Buseli, only about 28 per cent of students are in STEM education at the moment.

In this regard, he calls upon parents to encourage and fully support their children who wish to pursue studies in STEM.

“The STEM field offers many job opportunities in the future and can drive the development of Sarawak, particularly in the development of SCORE (Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy), Digital Economy, and the New Economy including green energy technology,” he said at the launch of the ‘Project of Dreams Realised’ (PRO-DR) at Uma Baha community hall, Sungai Asap here yesterday where Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon officiated at the event.

Adding on, Fredick said all these developments would require highly-skilled workforce proficient in technical and vocational skills and knowledge, as well as in technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), programming and coding, cybersecurity, as well as digital marketing and e-commerce.

“In green energy economy, which involves hydrogen, algae fuel and many more, we need many experts in research and development.

“I believe that every student or youth has dreams about achieving good things in life, and to achieve these dreams, one requires education. The higher the level of education, the brighter the chances for you to achieve your aspirations.

“However, reaching a high level of education is not easy, it requires early and meticulous planning,” he said.

Fredick said for students, the first step is to study diligently at school, followed by solid planning to obtain accurate information to determine the educational direction after completing the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia examinations.

“At Tegas (Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak), we always strive to think, plan and implement various high-impact programmes to ensure that students and youths in Sarawak would benefit greatly from them,” he added.