KUCHING – Education has been identified as the fundamental component for securing Sarawak’s long-term economic prosperity as the state progresses towards its objective of attaining developed status by 2030. This assertion was made by the Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.
He delivered these remarks during a speech at the 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner for Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, this week. The Premier stated that Sarawak is currently undergoing a crucial phase of transformation, where sustained economic advancement must be underpinned by robust human capital development.
He outlined that the state’s priorities, as defined in the *Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030*, have significantly evolved.
The strategic push into new economic frontiers, including the digital economy, renewable energy such as hydrogen technology, and the adoption of Industry 4.0 standards across vital sectors, will demand a fresh generation of highly qualified professionals.
The future workforce, he elaborated, must be adaptable and proficient enough to navigate a rapidly shifting global environment. There is a specific need for engineers who are conversant with both conventional systems and contemporary smart technologies.
Furthermore, the state requires business graduates capable of competing on an international stage while understanding local socio-economic conditions.
The Premier also emphasised the necessity for information technology specialists to lead the digital transformation agenda, alongside researchers focused on addressing practical challenges encountered by industries and communities within Sarawak. He stressed that possessing academic qualifications is no longer adequate on its own.
Graduates must now cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a capacity for adaptability to complement their technical knowledge. The Premier affirmed that graduates need to be armed not just with information, but with the competency to innovate and engage in continuous learning throughout their professional lives.
He acknowledged the vital part that institutions like Swinburne Sarawak play in assisting the state to cultivate this world-class talent. While Sarawak is endowed with abundant natural resources and strategic opportunities, the Premier noted that its ultimate success is contingent upon developing a powerful reservoir of intellectual capital.
The vision, he clarified, is to produce high-quality intellects capable of processing these resources and adding significant value to them. On the subject of technology’s role in development, he offered a cautionary note regarding artificial intelligence.
He stated that AI must complement human intelligence rather than act as its replacement, highlighting that the technology lacks inherent common sense and cannot supersede human judgement.
This, he concluded, is precisely why it remains imperative to foster critical thinkers who can wield such advanced tools with wisdom to propel Sarawak’s development forward.
