SIBU: Sarawak wants to develop its own technology and innovators as it accelerates its transition to an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven, knowledge-based economy.
Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said developing homegrown technological capabilities was crucial to ensuring Sarawakians did not merely benefit from digital advances but also played a leading role in shaping future industries.
He said achieving this ambition required a highly skilled workforce, particularly engineers, researchers, data scientists, software developers and cybersecurity specialists who could develop and manage emerging technologies.
“We do not want to be the consumers of technology, but we want to be creators of technology,” he said at the 11th convocation ceremony of the University of Technology Sarawak.
Abang Johari said growing international investor confidence in Sarawak’s economic development model reflected the state’s potential to emerge as a regional hub for advanced technologies, including AI and quantum computing.
He cited a meeting last month with SoftBank Group chairman and chief executive officer Masayoshi Son, who expressed strong interest in Sarawak’s economic development model, particularly its commitment to providing free tertiary education.
Abang Johari said the state government had introduced its Free Tertiary Education Scheme this year to remove financial barriers that could prevent capable young Sarawakians, particularly those from rural and lower-income families, from pursuing higher education.
The initiative formed part of the state’s long-term investment in human capital to support its economic transformation and ensure development opportunities were accessible to all Sarawakians. — BERNAMA