KUCHING: The state government is discussing with Stanford University, in the United States of America (USA), to allocate places for qualified Yayasan Sarawak students to further their studies there.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said sending Sarawak students to Stanford University would benefit the state in terms of technology as this renowned institution has produced big names in the technological field such as technology entrepreneur and chief executive officer of SpaceX, Elon Musk.
He revealed that upon the initiative of Yayasan Sarawak, the London School of Economics (LSE) has given two spots to qualified Yayasan Sarawak students every year.
“Two in LSE, two more in Cambridge University, United Kingdom,” he said at the 27th Yayasan Sarawak Chief Minister’s Special Awards (AKKMS) ceremony held at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex here on Friday.
He recommended that one of the two spots at each university to be allocated to a Bumiputera student, and the other to a non-Bumiputera student.
“I suggested sending students taking courses such as economics and international finance, besides other disciplines,” the chief minister said.
Abang Johari also touched on the role of education in building a nation, using Japan as an example.
“If we take a look at the Japanese during the Meiji period, the leaders introduced policies to strengthen education within the Japanese community.
“They sent the Japanese to seek knowledge, even overseas,” he stated.
He explained that due to this strong educational foundation and policies, the Japanese had a sturdy platform, becoming one of strongest nations in Asia.
Abang Johari said Sarawak should take this as a lesson.
“Although education is under the purview of the federal government, we must produce quality Sarawakians in order to propel Sarawak forward — that is the role we can play,” he said.
