KUCHING: The Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS) has done a superb job in promoting Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and Science, technology, engineering, and mathematic (STEM) education.
TEGAS deputy chairman, Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said this in his speech when officiating at the TEGAS 10TH Anniversary Roadshow yesterday.
“TEGAS was established on February 28, 2012 to promote technical and vocational education as well as career opportunities in the technical fields.
“Five years later, in 2017, TEGAS was entrusted by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to lead the entrepreneurship field, STEM, and digital innovation in the Sarawak eco-system.”
Dr Jerip said that among the programmes which had a huge impact was the Project of Dream Realised Roadshow (PRO-Dr).
“This is where the youth have the opportunity to explore various educational options and educational assistance facilities outside Serian.
“I understand that Serian is one of the areas with the most number of visitors participating in the TEGAS programme. I congratulate people in Serian,” he said.
Dr Jerip also expressed his concern about the challenges in the current educational field.
“To face a more challenging future, digital skills are no longer options but mandatory skills to ensure that our young generation is competitive and unaffected by the presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI),” he said.
He explained that TEGAS had taken proactive steps to bridge the gap through various projects and one of the examples is the TEGAS Think & Thinker Mini Lab Programme.
“SMK Siburan has been supplied by TEGAS with equipment such as MicroControllers, 3D Printers, Robotic kits, Programmable Drones, Mini STEM Library, and Desktop Computers.“10 modules have also been designed through
T&T Training of Trainers to train teachers with digital knowledge such as Micro Basics: Bit, Arduino Basics, 3D Printing, 3D Modeling, Drone Programming, mBot Robotic, Mobile Apps, Games Programming, Innovative Thinking Skills and Effective Project Presentation,” he said.
Dr Jerip pointed out that SMK Siburan was one of the pilot schools under the TEGAS T&T Mini Lab Programme.
“I am confident that with such an initiative from TEGAS, young people in this area will not be left behind in terms of Digital Innovation education.
“This initiative is also in line with the digital economy plan of the Sarawak state government which wants to make Sarawak youth global citizens who are skilled in line with the youth in other developed countries,” he said.
He also shared that TEGAS was also moving fast with its latest programme, the TEGAS Community Workshop, which aimed to provide Digital Literacy skills training in itsWorkshop Series such as Drone, NoCode, and 3D Printing.
“With the support of the TEGAS Trust Board which is always committed to supporting the efforts of TEGAS, then this Workshop Series will be continued in the future and widely in other areas.
“With the programmes from TEGAS Community Innovative Learning (TCIL), I hope that educators, students and youth around Serian will seize the opportunity to participate in the programmes to enhance their digital innovation talents so that the community in our area will be ready for the 4.0 industry.
“I hope TEGAS will continue its struggle to improve the quality of human capital of the young people of Sarawak that we love,” he said.
The TEGAS roadshow will be held from June 13 to July 16 in 11 different locations, namely, Serian, Debak, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Bintangor, Kapit, Balingian, Marudi, Limbang, Betong and Kuching.
The public are welcome to participate in the various programmes held in conjunction with the event.
