By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The transformation of the state’s education system is needed to ensure the students are prepared to face future challenges, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
This follows a research data in 2024 showing 65 per cent of students possessed good or very good problem-solving skills, while 72 per cent felt confident in applying scientific knowledge in daily life.
“This situation shows that we cannot be complacent. Many students still struggle to grasp basic STEM concepts.
“Therefore, education transformation must be a top agenda for all stakeholders,” he said when officiating the International Education Research Conference on Astounding Research Innovation STEM Exploration (ARISE) 2025 at the Sabah International Convention Centre here yesterday.
He said that research- and innovation-based teaching approaches need to be strengthened and mainstreamed so that Sabah’s education system remains relevant, inclusive, and competitive.
He also urged all educators, educational institutions, researchers, and policymakers to continue exploring and improving educational approaches that align with the digital era and current industry needs.
Hajiji said the ARISE 2025 Conference, which gathered more than 600 participants from both within and outside the country including the United Kingdom, Spain, the Philippines, China, and Ireland, serves as a vital platform for pioneering global education collaboration.
“This conference not only unites educators, researchers, and policymakers from various nations, but also encourages the empowerment of science, technology, and culture-based education,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education as drivers of Sabah’s high-quality, competitive, and innovative human capital development.
In that context, he said the State Government has allocated RM41.75 million this year to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Sabah, the Sabah Skills and Training Centre, and the Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre to implement various training and skills development programmes.
He said key programmes include the Borneo Science Expedition, Sabah Science Carnival, Technology and Innovation Competition, STEM Education Festival, Roboneo Programme, and Sabah Screen Fest, all of which are important mediums for sparking students’ interest in technology and engineering.
Hajiji also welcomed the presentation of 13 subthemes at the conference, including digital education, Malay studies, Islamic education, guidance and counselling, sports science, visual arts, and early childhood education.
He expressed confidence that this knowledge-sharing would lead to international collaborations that could elevate the profile of researchers and educational institutions in Sabah to the global stage.
“Educators are the heart and backbone of successful education transformation. I call on them to be bold in exploring research and innovation in education,” he said.
He added that this conference also reflects the State Government’s commitment through the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan 2021–2025, which prioritises education as a catalyst for the state’s sustainable development.
