KUCHING: As the first-ever initiative of its kind by the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT), the MBOT Borneo Symposium is set to become a significant milestone as this region embarks on socioeconomic development driven by science and technology.
MBOT president Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir said with the theme ‘Preparing a Sustainable Workforce’, the symposium aimed to promote and recognise the contributions of technologists and technicians, particularly those in Sarawak and Sabah.
She said as a professional body that valued inclusivity, MBOT placed great importance on the involvement of technologists and technicians in its initiatives.
“We would like to applaud Sarawak and Sabah for their major strides in industry and talent development in science and technology.
“Sarawak especially has made science, technology, innovation, and economics the core of its socioeconomic development with a focus on special skills and talent, industrial, digital economy, energy and at the same time incorporating sustainability in their endeavours.
“The MBOT Borneo Symposium is an initiative to develop highly skilled, adaptable, and professional industrial talents in response to the rapid development in these two states. We wish to be part of this exciting growth of these states.”
She said this in her welcoming speech during the launch of the symposium on Thursday (May 11) at the Borneo Cultures Museum Auditorium here.
As a professional body that recognised the technology and technical profession, Siti Hamisah assured that MBOT was committed to enhancing the quality of technology graduates in the region.
She said through MBOT professional recognition and accreditation, talents could meet industry demands and keep up with the fast pace and unprecedented technological advancement.
“With the collaboration and support of our colleagues in Sarawak and Sabah, we aim to continue to collaborate in enhancing human capital capacity in the region as MBOT is mandated to recognise and promote the skilled workforce thus contributing towards the achievement of high-income economy.”
Since its establishment in 2016, MBOT has registered more than 70,000 technologists and technicians, including 18,765 professional technologists and 2,260 certified technicians.
Over 5,000 of these professional members hail from Sarawak and Sabah, which is approximately 7.5 per cent out of MBOT’s total members.
