Kota Kinabalu: The Kinabalu Foundation has contributed RM100,000 to Kian Kok Middle School over the past two years in support of Chinese education and digital advancement, particularly in developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning infrastructure.
The funding, disbursed in two phases, was used to improve the school’s computer hardware and software. In 2024, RM50,000 was allocated to upgrade teachers’ computer systems.
AdvertisementThis year, another RM50,000 was approved for the student computer lab, forming the base for the school’s AI education programme.
Kian Kok Middle School Board Chairman Datuk Clement Yeh said the assistance had helped the school take its first steps toward integrating AI-related modules into the curriculum.
“In today’s education landscape, we cannot ignore technological developments. Students should have the opportunity to learn about systems like AI from an early stage.
This contribution has helped us start building the necessary foundation,” he said.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});He added that the school would have struggled to launch a structured AI programme without the Foundation’s support due to limited resources.
The Kinabalu Foundation, established in 1982, has long supported Chinese education in Sabah. To date, it has donated over RM4.28 million to schools statewide, benefiting more than 5,300 students through infrastructure upgrades, digital modernisation, and student assistance.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});In 2025 alone, the Foundation allocated RM401,000 to nine Chinese independent schools and seven converted Chinese secondary schools, including those in rural areas.
Foundation Chairman Datuk Chin Chee Kee said the goal is to ensure that access to technology is not limited by location or resources.
“AI education should not be limited to schools in big cities. We want to help schools prepare students for the future,” he said.
He said the Foundation’s role goes beyond preserving language and culture, by also encouraging progress in science, technology and innovation within the Chinese school system.
Kian Kok plans to use the latest grant to introduce AI-related subjects such as image recognition and basic programming and to provide training for teachers. The school aims to build a full AI education programme within three years.
Since 1983, the Foundation has contributed more than RM16 million to Chinese education, including school construction, renovations, flood relief and rural teacher incentives. In 1997, it raised RM7.79 million through the “Top Ten Charity Concert”, with RM774,017 channelled to Kian Kok.
From 2000 to date, it has awarded RM6.05 million in scholarships to 8,139 students and RM2.42 million in loans to 114 students pursuing tertiary education.
“The Kinabalu Foundation has given us not just funds but also the support to move forward with education upgrades,” said the school’s administration.
The RM100,000 contribution is part of the Foundation’s wider effort to support Chinese schools in Sabah to adapt to new learning needs and technologies.
