Encourage your kids to pursue tertiary studies, rural folk told
SERIAN: Rural communities in Sarawak should encourage their children to pursue tertiary education, or acquire at least skills certificates so that they can become part of Sarawak’s human capital.
According to Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, Sarawak needs capable human capital to face the challenges of an increasingly sophisticated world.
“Now we can see how businesses and transactions are done using smart devices. Soon, these smart devices will be replaced by intelligent devices. Jobs created in the future will be centred on this technology; therefore we need people with the knowledge and skills for such technology.
“I was in China recently and it found out that using smart devices for cashless transactions is the norm there. And this is now catching up here (in Malaysia),” he said in officiating at a preChristmas dinner hosted by Pertubuhan Penduduk Kampung Pichin ( PPKP) at Tayung Langui Hall Kampung Pichin near here on Saturday.
Adding on Manyin, who is Tebedu assemblyman, said the rural communities could not afford to be bystanders of this new advancement, or else, they would be left behind.
He expressed concern that some villages had fewer graduates than others, despite having better infrastructure and facilities.
“I hope rural parents would place top priority on their children’s education. The children should pursue tertiary education, be it in universities, colleges, polytechnics or skills training centres. This will ensure a better future for the families, while the amount of graduates will give good impression of the village,” he said.
On the coming Christmas season, he said it would be a good time for families to be together and also for people to ‘have a breather’ after a long year of work.
“It is okay to have some time for merry-making on special occasions like this. It is part of our tradition for us to have fun on joyous occasion.
“All work and no play is not good. But it is also not good to be partying everyday, but not doing your work,” he said.
The dinner also hosted political secretary to the chief minister Dr Simon Sinang Bada, Serian Resident Johnathan Lugoh, Tebedu District Officer Raymond Achen who is also PPKP chairman, and former MP and assemblyman Dato Sri Dominic Dagok.
Now we can see how businesses and transactions are done using smart devices. Soon, these smart devices will be replaced by intelligent devices. Jobs created in the future will be centred on this technology; therefore we need people with the knowledge and skills for such technology. Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, Education, Science and Technological Research Minister