By FASIHA KHUSHIRI & SHAIK SHAIFUL
KUCHING: Educational institutions should constantly carry out research and innovations that could contribute to the state’s human resource and expertise.
Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis said such expertise was needed to advance the government’s and administrative machinery.
“It is our hope that Sarawak will have a strong education sector in addition to having competitive human resources that would further contribute to the progress of various sectors.
“Hence, NCRI 2022 is an important platform in our efforts to cultivate and empower research and innovation,” he said at the closing ceremony of the 2022 National Research and Innovation Conference at the Sri Samarahan Hall of IPG Tun Abdul Razak Campus in Kota Samarahan on Wednesday.
He noted that the implementation of e-learning has created ideas that contribute to the formation of various platforms and learning tools in enabling the teaching and learning process to be carried out digitally.
“In addition, research and innovation can cultivate high-level thinking among educators who would then guide and hone the students’ thinking systematically and creatively.
“In the field of education, research is a process for an educator to find a solution to a problem that exists especially in teaching and learning in the classroom.
“In fact, research is also said to be an art (the art of discovery) to uncover new knowledge.”
He also explained that research and innovation actually have an effect and impact on the quality of the education system and the educators themselves, especially in this era of Industrial Revolution 4.0.
“The existence of ‘big data’ in the field of education can be utilised by educators in planning teaching and learning strategies that lead to digital learning, which is in line with the digital era and Industrial Revolution 4.0.
“Therefore, the young generation should acquire knowledge, skills and competencies related to science, technology, research and innovation in order to be able to compete in the job market.”
