BEAUFORT: Sabah needs more local students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education to help address the shortage of medical professionals, particularly in rural areas.
This was highlighted during the Program Lonjakan Untuk Sabah-STEM A (PLUS-STEM A) 2026 held at SMK St John, Beaufort, on Wednesday.
The programme, organised by the Sabah Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (KPSTI), aimed to encourage Form One to Form Three students and their parents to understand the importance of STEM education in shaping future career opportunities.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) senior lecturer from the Faculty of Psychology and Education, ChM Dr Nur Farha Shaafi, said Sabah needed more local graduates in fields such as medicine, pharmacy and other specialised professions to serve communities, especially in the interior.
She highlighted the shortage of medical officers in the State, with reports indicating a deficit of 245 medical officers, while Hospital Ranau was operating with only nine doctors.
Nur Farha said early preparation was important for students intending to enter the STEM A stream in Form Four.
She advised students to strengthen their mathematics skills, develop higher-order thinking skills and understand basic Physics, Chemistry and Biology concepts rather than relying solely on memorisation.
Students were also encouraged to participate in STEM clubs, robotics activities and innovation competitions, while maintaining good results in their Ujian Akhir Sesi Akademik (UASA) and Pentaksiran Bilik Darjah (PBD).
The programme also highlighted career opportunities for STEM A graduates in medicine, engineering, biodiversity and ecotourism, natural resources and energy, agriculture, aquaculture and education.
Students were also given the opportunity to explore practical STEM applications through innovation exhibits, including interactive science displays such as plasma spheres.
The session further introduced learning activities under UMS’ Edu Experiential Living Lab, including Sabah STEM Quest 2026, which features astronomy exploration, medical museum activities, drones and robotics.
The programme carried the message “Anak Sabah Teraju Masa Depan Negeri”, encouraging students to become future contributors to the State’s development.
