He revealed that despite versity’s thousands of graduates, a local university vice chancellor has stated that the number of graduates in science and engineering subjects is declining.
Sarawak requires more scientists and engineers to support its new economy based on digital technology, green energy, and hydrogen, according to Sri Dr. Sim Kui Hian. He stated that efforts must be made to increase the number of students studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), which is currently low.
He revealed that despite the university’s thousands of graduates, a local university vice chancellor has stated that the number of graduates in science and engineering subjects is declining.
He praised IKM Sarawak for its efforts to promote STEM seminars and roadshows, including those held in schools. He singled out IKM’s recent Karnival Kimia Malaysia (K2M) programme in remote Long Bedian as an excellent effort to inspire and provide opportunities for rural students in particular.
“Next year, in 2023, as we start embarking on hydrogen, we will need about 1,500 chemical engineers. We hope to get the federal government to agree to Sarawak building our cancer hospital next year; we will also need biochemists”.
“Chemistry is very important and we need to get the young people interested. And these are all high paying jobs,” he said at the Malaysian Institute of Chemistry (IKM) Sarawak’s Chemistry Night on Tuesday (Dec 20).
“We need every Sarawakian to help us achieve the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 aspirations and objectives,” he added. More scientists and engineers are required for new economy of Sarawak.
According to Dr. Sim, federal leaders have recognised Sarawak’s efforts to transition to the new economy under PCDS 2030.
According to the Minister of Economy, the country’s economy must transition from a commodity- and low-value manufacturing-based economy to a 21st-century economy based on digital technology, added value, creativity, and innovation.
“Finally, someone in KL (Kuala Lumpur) understands what Sarawak is planning,” he said.
IKM president Datuk Dr Soon Ting Kueh and Sarawak chairman Dr John Chan were among those present at the dinner themed Chemistry of Cultures. The dinner’s agenda included the formation of IKM Sarawak regional sub-committees as well as the presentation of IKM Merit Awards 2022.
IKM is a statutory professional organisation that was established on November 1, 1977, under the Chemists Act 1975, and is governed by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.