KOTA KINABALU: Sabah government has allocated RM33mil this year to strengthen human capital development, particularly through courses and training related to science, technology and innovation skills.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic) said an additional RM12.92mil was set aside for implementing courses and research at agriculture institutes in this state.
This aims to develop a knowledgeable and competitive workforce that would be important assets in bringing progress, he said on Friday (Aug 2).
In a speech during the closing and awards presentation of an invention excellence expo (Excocipta 2024) organised by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) here, he said the state government will continue supporting and aiding UMS, including financially, so they could conduct research activities and develop value-added products, among others.
"As an academic institution with expertise in teaching individuals to cater to current industry and market demands, UMS is also capable of developing ideas that could solve various current issues," Hajiji said.
His speech was delivered by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir.
He said researchers and academicians should ensure studies and innovation activities take significant factors into account such as relevance, being realistic and possibilities as solutions to problems.
In view of that, the state government welcomes the university in conducting research activities in the fields of agriculture, aquaculture, biotechnology and renewable energy as Sabah is rich with natural resources that could be optimised as new economic sources.
"I also hope the university continues to collaborate with local communities and industry players, as well as conduct cross-field research.
"They could promote research culture by bringing the concept to society, such as to schools. This step would be in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call for scientists to go to 100 schools, especially at the urban outskirts and the rural areas, to give exposure to science," added Hajiji.
