Sabah welcomes tech transfer from China to strengthen state’s education, innovation sectors

KOTA KINABALU (Jan 10): Sabah’s Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry supports and welcomes all forms of technology transfer from abroad as a strategic step to strengthen the development of education, science, technology and innovation in the state.

In stating this, minister Datuk James Ratib said in view of innovation being the key driving force in Sabah’s development, the state had always sought potential avenues for concrete collaboration between the ministry and the private sector.

In this regard, he also expressed hope for the Sabah-China Chamber of Commerce to continue playing an active role in submitting proposals to the state government on introducing advanced technologies from China into Sabah.

This was highlighted during a courtesy call on James paid by a delegation from the chamber, led by its president Datuk Frankie Liew and accompanied by the deputy president Brett Chua.

“The strong strategic relationship between Sabah-China Chamber of Commerce and the industries in China serves as an advantage that should be leveraged fully,” said James.

“The chamber’s chairman, Datuk Frankie Liew, has close ties with companies in China, and these relationships are crucial in opening up opportunities for technological collaborations, investments and also the development of expertise in Sabah.”

James also said his ministry welcomed all forms of strategic cooperation that might be implemented between both parties, particularly initiatives involving technology transfer, the development of local expertise, and the adoption of new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), in line with the state’s development agenda.

The state minister also welcomed initiatives, technologies and expertise from abroad, especially from China, meant to strengthen the technology industry and skills training in Sabah, including in the field of technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

“The ministry is confident that this strategic cooperation between the government and the private sector should create more opportunities in the fields of education, science, technology and innovation; thereby, contributing to human capital development and the sustainable progress of Sabah.”

Meanwhile, Chua said China possessed several technologies related to TVET that had the potential to be shared.

However, he also highlighted Sabah as yet to have a suitable platform to fully receive and implement these technologies.

As such, Chua described the visit as an important starting point towards realising the strategic cooperation between both parties in the field of TVET.

Also present were the ministry’s permanent secretary Hassan Mahali, and the minister’s political secretary Justinus Jalang.