Setting up of TSEJ Chair to benefit SIDS members — President
SIBU: The establishment of Tan Sri Empiang Jabu Dayak Women Research Studies Chair ( TSEJ Chair) will bring a lot of benefits especially to Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak ( SIDS) members and their children as well as the Dayak community in general throughout the state.
SIDS president Dato Ir Alice Jawan said the TSEJ Chair would also provide scholarships to those qualified and opportunity to pursue their further studies at higher level.
“TSEJ Chair will give scholarships to a number of individuals chosen as ‘ Scholar SIDS’ for their Bachelor degree and doctorate ( PhD) at Universiti Putra Malaysia ( UPM).
“This is to develop our women and children in the education development aspect,” she said in a dialogue session with executive members of SIDS Kapit branch in conjunction with her visit in Kapit recently.
Chairperson of SIDS Kapit branch Annie Blikau and the branch’s advisor Minor Panyau were also present.
Alice who is also the permanent secretary to the Ministry of Utilities urged Dayak women especially SIDS members to fully support the establishment of TSEJ Chair.
“This is among the opportunities for our community to progress forward in the education aspect with the availability of this TSEJ Chair.
“We hope more of us particularly the women would benefit through this scholarship,” she added.
According to her, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had shown interest with the formation of TSEJ Chair where we had a meeting with him in Sept last year regarding the matter,” she said.
She also shared several tips and proposals to further mobilise SIDS branches so that they become more active for the benefit members.
Alice also urged the women in SIDS to continue to assist in the development of Dayak women to enable them to contribute to the state.
Meanwhile, both Annie and Minor said they were pleasantly surprised with Alice’s visit who had come from far to hold a dialogue with the SIDS Kapit branch members.
They said members here were fortunate to be able to be getting ideas, advices and information regarding the development of SIDS based on the policies of the present government.