Sarawak needs 6,000 certified technologists by 2025 - Abang Johari

KUCHING - Sarawak needs approximately another 6,000 certified technologists to realise its vision to be at the forefront of industrial revolution 5.0 (IR 5.0), said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Speaking at the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) Borneo Symposium 2023 today, he said Sarawak is targeting to have 10,000 technologists by 2025 but, at present, it could only produce about 30 per cent of this target.

"Currently we have a total of 3,291 certified technologists comprising 1,961 graduate technologists, qualified technicians (461), professional technologists (722) and certified technicians (147).

"Hopefully we can achieve the number in 2025, which is quite tough,...but at least by 2030 we must have sufficient technologists,” he said.

The premier said such a symposium will enhance the capacity of technologists and technicians in Sarawak by promoting and developing technological talents.

Abang Johari said the state’s target could be achieved through collaborative efforts with various institutions and companies such as the Association of Professional Technicians and Technologists (APTT), MBOT as well as Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

Meanwhile, MBOT president Datuk Siti Hamisah Tapsir in her speech said as of now, the board has accredited a total of 52 and 46 programmes in higher education institutions in Sarawak and Sabah, respectively.

"Since its establishment in 2016, MBOT has registered more than 70,000 technologists and technicians, including 18,765 Professional Technologists and 2,260 Certified Technicians, with over 5,000 of these professional members hailing from Sarawak and Sabah, that is about 7.5 per cent out of our total members,” she said.

She added that MBOT Borneo Symposium is also an initiative to develop highly skilled, adaptable, and professional industrial talents in response to the rapid development in the Borneo states.

With the theme "Preparing A Sustainable Workforce", the one-day programme aimed to promote and recognise the contributions of technologists and technicians, particularly those in Sarawak and Sabah. - BERNAMA