By Olivia Miwil - April 25, 2022 @ 9:43pm
KOTA KINABALU: The state government is looking at making Sabah a high-tech state.
Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Yakub Khan said the aspiration, which is in line with Sabah Maju Jaya, will be made possible through the ministry's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan.
Following a four-day workshop with 26 state and federal agencies in January, the ministry has produced a strategic framework that included three main thrusts, nine strategic thrusts, 25 strategies, 73 programmes and 52 result areas.
Yakub said the ministry also aims to ensure Sabah is fully covered with 4G network and for three districts – Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Sandakan – to have a 5G network soon.
"We are confident with the joint efforts and direct support from the (federal) Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to the state ministry, hopefully it will smoothen the plan and yield the results as outlined in the Sabah Maju Jaya," he said after the launching of the strategic plan here.
Earlier, Yakub said the first thrust of the plan would focus on strengthening the Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (STIE) ecosystem with government agencies, academia, industry players and the community.
The second thrust outlines efforts to drive the development of digital infrastructure and technology towards a creative, innovative and competitive society, while the third is to manage competent and adaptive human capital through research and development (R&D) and sustainable governance.
As for the nine strategic thrusts, he said they are meant to improve the quality of service delivery to the community by piquing interest, enhancing knowledge, as well as contributing to development and the ever-evolving STIE.
"Internet access will also be expanded especially to remote areas so that rural communities do not lag behind with technological advances.
"This will further increase the percentage of digitally literate people, thus increasing productivity and economic results to the state," said Yakub.
He said the plan will also provide human capital development funds and expand the training financing coverage for employees.
During the event, the ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Academy of Sciences Malaysia to improve the living standards of the people in rural areas through the implementation of smart pole technology and wireless bridging system.
The ministry and the academy are also going to foster interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) among students and the community through the implementation of the "Young Scientist Network" and "National Science Challenge" (NSC) programmes at the state-level.
Another two MoUs were signed between the Human Resource Development Department and Institut Pengajian Islam dan Dakwah Sabah (IPDAS); as well as Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC) and the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC).
The ministry also presented aid to 35 tahfiz students and orphans to cheer them up on the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration which is expected to be celebrated on May 3.
Also present were the ministry's permanent secretary Zainudin Aman; academy president Prof Datuk Dr Asma Ismail; MTDC chief executive officer Datuk Norhalim Yunus; SCENIC general manager Viviantie Sarjuni, and IPDAS director Mohamad Zamri Mohamed Shapik.
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