KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Maju Jaya Fellow Programme 2.0 this year will be expanded to include diploma graduates, STPM leavers and its equivalent, including degree holders.
According to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, the 2023 edition has been widened so there is opportunity to include these groups, in order to promote a holistic development for the younger generation.
"This effort by the state government is hoped to prepare them as a competent, productive and able human resource for our future leadership.
"Several agencies and institutions are also being added as strategic partners in the programme execution this time, including nine government-linked companies (GLC), besides the existing ministries," he said during the presentation of the fellow programme here on Friday (Sept 1).
His speech text was read by state Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin, who represented him.
Hajiji said that the participation of these ministries, agencies and GLCs would be able to realise the goals of the SMJ Fellow programme, and that the programme will be a catalyst for the youths in this state to undergo healthy competition and improve themselves.
At the same time, he believed Sabah Youth Council could handle the fellow programme well and urged the state Youth and Sports Ministry to entrust them fully in carrying out the programme, with the ministry's supervision.
"We hope the SMJ Fellow programme participants placed at these various ministries, agencies and GLCs will receive direct guidance from top leadership there and gain exposure to the career world, as well as learn how an organisation is administered.
"Hopefully the programme participants will take this opportunity to absorb as many knowledge and skills, which they can apply once they return to serve their communities," he added.
Hajiji also said various initiatives have and are being carried out to strengthen the state human resource, for example the formation of the Sabah Students Consultative Council under the purview of the Chief Minister's Department.
The council gathers the leading Sabah undergraduates and students from higher learning institutions and education institutions nationwide, in a platform to exchange views and share the aspirations of the youths from this state.
One of the council's suggestions the government has agreed on is to provide a youth transit house to assist the targeted groups who needed temporary lodging and help reduce their burden.
