Kota Kinabalu: More than 1,000 young people from Sabah and Labuan are taking part in an integrated science, technology and innovation (STI) programme aimed at developing talent and preparing them for the future workforce.
The STI Integrated Cultivation Programme Sabah Zone 2026 was launched at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) on Monday. It brings together several initiatives, including Malaysia Techlympics, Minggu Sains Negara, Borneo-Tech Volution MOSTI 2026 (NextGen Tech @ MOSTI), STI 1003 and Rehlah Sains.
Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohammad Yusof Apdal said the programmes were designed to give young people early exposure to STI, particularly in artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, drones, coding and digital technology.
He said the Sabah zone of Malaysia Techlympics attracted 1,043 registered participants from Sabah and Labuan. The competition at UMS will select participants for the national finals at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang in November.
“The Sabah programme also reflects Mosti’s commitment to inclusiveness, with about 4,725 students and 336 teachers from Sabah and Labuan taking part in various training activities,” he said during the launch.
Yusof said the competition format allowed students to participate, think and perform more freely, helping them develop a stronger interest in science and technology outside the classroom.
Promising participants will also receive mentoring and guidance to help develop their ideas into projects or products that can address real needs in industry and local communities.
Meanwhile, Minggu Sains Negara 2026 has recorded 64,748 visitors to date through activities held in several zones across the country.
Yusof said Borneo-Tech Volution Mosti 2026, or NextGen Tech @ Mosti, was focused on equipping youths with skills needed to face future challenges and employment demands.
He also highlighted Sabah’s potential in biodiversity, artificial intelligence and agricultural technology, saying more efforts were needed to turn the State’s resources into useful applications.
He said initiatives such as Ruang Daya Cipta could help communities understand technology and develop solutions suited to local needs.
“Our longer-term objective is to produce more scientists and technologists who can contribute towards Malaysia becoming a high-technology nation, while ensuring young people have skills relevant to industry and the future job market,” he said.
Also present were Sabah Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Under-Secretary Cornelia Gregory Kolopis Han, Mosti STI Culture and Services Division Secretary Abdullah Daud, UMS Chief Librarian Zawawi Datuk Tiyunin, representing the Vice-Chancellor, and Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) Chief Operating Officer Ida Semurni Abdullah Ali.
