Kota Kinabalu: The State Government on Tuesday announced five important initiatives to ensure the success of Yayasan Sabah Technology College (KTYS) in the higher education scene and produce youth with a better future.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the first initiative is the State Government through Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd (ICSB) will provide monthly assistance of RM500,000, equivalent to RM6 million in 2024, as has been implemented throughout 2023.
He said the second initiative is the State Government, through ICSB, has agreed to provide a Special Grant of RM10 million for the operational and utility costs of KTYS for the year 2024.
The third initiative is the State Government, through the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (KSTI), will give a special allocation of RM3 million per year to KTYS to run short-term courses that are in line with the needs of the State Government, he said, adding this will be started with scuba diving, cupping and reflexology, drone technology as well as Korean and Mandarin language courses which will be implemented in 2024.
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His speech was read by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
The Chief Minister said another initiative is that the State Government will build a multipurpose hall at the KTYS Main Campus in Sembulan at a cost of RM450,000.
“Hopefully with these initiatives, KTYS will be able to produce graduates who meet the demands of today’s industrial market. Digital and technology approaches need to be applied in the teaching and learning system in order to improve understanding, skills and the application of knowledge in real life.
“Character empowerment and knowledge also need to be applied to the latest generation so that both are balanced. The State Government will continue to emphasise the development of human capital, especially among the youths,” he stressed.
Hajiji said the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) which now receives high-impact foreign investment provides job opportunities for graduates with technical skills, including from KTYS, to work in the manufacturing and industrial sectors.
In fact, he said, the State Government’s efforts to add two more industrial parks in Sabah are in dire need of skilled and knowledgeable human capital.
He said the State Government will also continue to invest in education infrastructure, provide scholarships and financial assistance to deserving students, as well as foster partnerships between educational institutions and industry.
“All of these government initiatives are to ensure that Sabahans have the opportunity to continue schooling to a higher level, in addition to helping to reduce the burden on the parents and families of students from the B40 group. We do not want anyone to be marginalised from receiving education in Sabah,” he stressed.
According to him, the State Government has also prepared the Human Capital Development Blue Print for Sabah 2021- 2035 to ensure that the syllabus, knowledge, skills and expertise of the youth as well as human capital are always relevant, in addition to being a guideline for the holistic human capital development programme in Sabah.
Hajiji believes that the aid and provision given will facilitate the path and journey of graduates in obtaining formal education and skills and will produce skilled personnel who can contribute back to Sabah and will reduce the State’s dependence on foreign labour.
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