KUCHING: Youths definitely play a big part in our nation’s future. Taib (third left), his wife Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib (third right), Abdul Karim (left), Liew (second left) and their wives doing the cake cutting ceremony. This was mentioned by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud during a Hi-Tea session at the Hilton Kuching Hotel here yesterday, saying the future of our young and developing country lies in their hands. “I have always enjoyed coming and giving my speech to groups like yours in the past. The reason is simple, I want to share my thoughts and also get your feedback. “It is not only my duty but also my pleasure to share my thoughts in serving this country to contribute to unity and also implement ideas so we can move ...

Fatimah (second right) hands a diploma scroll to one of the graduates witnessed by PMU director Abdubrani. MUKAH: The perception that technical and vocation education (TVE) and training is for less bright students, who would otherwise be left out of the education mainstream, must be changed. Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah made this call yesterday when speaking at the Mukah Polytechnic (PMU) 7th Convocation, saying that technical or vocational education was not for less academically-inclined students but was a field that could be mastered by any students. “Those who have the skills in the vocational field are just the same as those who can master academics; therefore, the perception that vocational education is for less academically-inclined ...

KUCHING: Sarawak Skills Development Centre (PPKS) is calling on Sarawakians, including those in the rural areas, to join them in their journey to becoming the first private vocational college in the state. Baharudin holds a poster with the diploma course details at the press conference. Its executive director Datuk Baharudin Abdullah made this call during a press conference yesterday, saying the setting up of PPKS Private Vocational College was aimed at helping the government in producing a competent work force and experts in technical and vocational fields. “This is an upgrade of vocational secondary schools, which offer two years of SPMV, while vocational college offers a Malaysian Vocational Diploma after a four-year study. “Those who apply will have ...

An overall view of Riam Road Secondary School and Riam Institute of Technology. MIRI: Riam Road Secondary School (RRSS) and Riam Institute of Technology (RIT) will soon have a state-of-the-art building – the first of its kind in the state. The RM10 million project is expected to be completed by end of 2015, RRSS chief executive officer Datuk Dr Fong Onn Min disclosed to The Borneo Post recently. With the completion of the new block, RRSS and RIT would have four large lecture theatres with capacities from 80 to 300 students each. “Riam Road Secondary School and Riam Institute of Technology must keep abreast with the times. “And the state-of-the-art building will bring both schools to greater heights at the forefront of education in the country,” ...

KUCHING: The Visit Malaysia Year and Visit Sarawak Year 2014 campaigns will continue despite disasters involving three airlines in recent weeks. Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released a statement that the recent air disasters have not brought down the level of confidence among air passengers around the globe. “Air transportation is just another mode of transport. It is just like a car where accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. Yet we still drive around in our cars,” Abang Johari told reporters at his Aidilfitri open house on Monday. He said it was very unfortunate for Malaysia Airlines to suffer from the downing of MH17 and the missing flight MH370 this year. “After ...

KUCHING: An inter-governmental Joint Trade and Investment Council for Sarawak and China has been proposed to principally unleash the economic potentials in both places. The proposal came from the chairman of Sarawak China Friendship Association Datuk Wee Kok Tiong, who said the joint council would play the role in strengthening the exchange of business and investment information. “It is also to act as a facilitating body to address trade affairs and challenges faced by investors of Sarawak and China. Such council will definitely enhance the future economic co-operation between Sarawak and China,” he told the dinner, which marked the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China as well as 20th anniversary of the Chinese Consulate General in ...

KUCHING: Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) is a goldmine, but Chinese investors would not come unless they know its growth potential, said Liu Quan, Chinese Consulate General in Kuching. Abang Rauf (fourth left) and Abang Karim (fifth right) showing media reports of their recent China trip to Liu (fifth left) in the presence of SCCI and HDC members at the latter’s office in Kuching. Hence, he said the onus was for Sarawak to disseminate the latest information about SCORE to the huge China market. Liu said China planned to invest US$500 billion (RM1.5 trillion) globally, including in Asean, in the next five years, and Sarawak should woo some of the investors to its shores. “But first, SCORE must provide the latest information to the Chinese market ...

Sarawak has a literacy rate of over 90 per cent. The Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE) overseas schools at primary and secondary levels. Primary education usually begins in the child’s seventh year and continues for six years. Students usually enter secondary school in their 13th year, where they can continue for seven years until Upper Six to sit for Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) or Malaysian Higher School Certificate. This is required to enter public universities and is equivalent to A-Levels. Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or Malaysian Certificate of Education is taken in the fifth year of secondary school and is equivalent to O-Levels. SPM can be used to enter public and private pre-university and matriculation courses. Early education Having ...

KUCHING: Petronas targets an enrollment of about 200 technical graduates from Sabah and Sarawak next month to undergo its Petroleum Technology Programme (PTP-1). Petronas (Sarawak) regional general manager Shamsur Taha said this was an opportunity for the graduates, especially those taking up technical course, to undergo a one-year training which includes industrial training with the oil and gas company. “Upon successful completion of the course, the students will be posted to (Petronas) stations worldwide. This is a very good opportunity for students taking technical courses. “There are many job opportunities provided for them including working at their branches in Qatar, Yaman and Brazil, to name a few,” he said. On the 200 students from Sabah and Sarawak, ...

Awang Tengah (third left) interacts with a visitor after opening the Graduan Aspire Borneo Career Fair 2014. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi KUCHING: Sarawak managed to produce thousands of graduates, undergraduates and skilled individuals while keeping its employment rate to as low as 3.5 per cent last year, said Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan. During the year, he pointed out, higher learning institutions in the state had produced 8,640 diploma and degree graduates and 9,000 graduates trained in technical skills. Sarawak now has 33 higher learning institutions offering diploma, degree and post graduate courses, and 44 other institutions providing technical and vocational training. “The government ...