Lee urges Miri parents to encourage children to pursue STEM

MIRI (Aug 10): Parents should encourage their children to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects as they can pave the way for future career opportunities.

Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, who has been on official visits to China and South Korea, shared he noticed about 70 per cent of the workforce in these countries focused on STEM.

“We need talents in these fields to develop our nation so we need to encourage them to pursue education in relevant subjects to be able to do so.

“The Sarawak government has a new policy offering students who obtained good results and wish to pursue tertiary education in STEM subjects free education. It is a stepping stone to the future we are working towards,” he said when officiating the Open Day and Pesta Pulasan at SMK Pujut today.

Lee said he constantly observes the academic performances of students in Miri, particularly in schools in his constituency of Senadin, and offers incentives to those who achieves excellent results.

During the event, he distributed RM4,100 worth of incentives to 22 students of SMK Pujut who excelled in their 2023 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations.

He also handed over RM5,000 in Minor Rural Project (MRP) grant to the SMK Pujut principal Su Yien Jiong. The funding is an annual contribution in support of the school’s yearly activities.

Su thanked Lee for his contribution of RM90,000 which enabled ther school to install a total of 18 air-conditioners, thus improving the learning and working environment in the school.

Also present were Miri district education officer Mariam Monek, SMK Pujut Parent-Teacher Association chairman Robert Oyo Ing Emang and Naim Cendera Miri regional general manager Haliza Segar.