Government focused on education to ensure quality human capital

1 October 2024

KOTA KINABALU: The state government remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing education, aiming to cultivate high-quality, skilled, and competitive human capital.

The Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, stated that human capital development in the state has always been a priority to prepare leaders who will shape the future of the state.

He mentioned that only with good education can the quality of life of the people be changed, ultimately contributing to the success and excellence of the nation, particularly in the state of Sabah.

"We do not want anyone to be marginalised from receiving education in this state. Therefore, in terms of academics, the state government always ensures that the Sabah youth can continue their studies to higher levels through various initiatives provided, covering all levels from primary and secondary schools to higher education institutions," he said.

He made these remarks at the Oath of Commitment Ceremony during the 30th Familiarization Week for the 2024/2025 session at the University of Malaysia Sabah (UMS) in the university's Chancellor Hall on Tuesday.

He noted that from 1967 to June 2024, a total of 121,897 students have benefited from the Yayasan Sabah (YS) education assistance initiative, involving expenditures amounting to RM868 million.

According to him, the government is always attentive to the needs and concerns of students, and for the first time, has provided flight ticket subsidies through the Sabah Graduate Rindu Subsidy, amounting to RM600 per person for all Sabah students studying at public and private universities in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and Labuan last March, with an allocation of over RM10 million.

In addition, he stated that in 2023, the government increased the allocation for the Sabah State Government Scholarship from RM55 million to RM101 million.

Hajiji mentioned that he launched the Sabah Education Sponsorship Portal (PTPS)—a new initiative under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) direction to empower and facilitate the distribution of assistance to Sabah students, especially at the higher education level, through a collaboration of major sponsoring bodies and educational aid providers in the state.

"This is part of the initiatives and assistance planned and implemented by the state government to develop human capital in this state through the SMJ development plan. Many more initiatives, aids, and programmes have been planned to further enhance the capabilities of the state's human capital so that Sabah can progress," he said.

According to him, the government and the people of Sabah are very proud of the current achievements of UMS, which has helped drive transformative development in the state in various aspects, in addition to being a reference centre, especially in Sabah.

He stated that the state government will continue to cooperate with UMS in supporting efforts towards the advancement and improvement of higher education in the country, in line with the SMJ development plan that also emphasises human capital development alongside the industrial, agricultural, and tourism sectors as key pillars in reviving the state’s economy.

Hajiji, who is also the Pro-Chancellor of UMS, wants the university to continue fostering a higher education environment that serves as a centre of excellence and produces competitive and innovative graduates to meet the skilled workforce needs of the country and the state of Sabah.

"Therefore, higher education institutions, including UMS, are encouraged to strengthen collaboration with industry players in research, development, commercialisation, and innovation activities," he said.

Hajiji urged the students of UMS to always adhere to campus regulations, prioritise their responsibilities as students, and strive diligently to become exemplary individuals, using the knowledge gained in their academic pursuits to contribute to society and the nation.