RM164.01 million For Human Capital Development
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Sabah has allocated RM164million for human capital development programmes under the 13th Malaysia Plan. The priority areas include the empowering of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the strengthening of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), expanding of agricultural training and digital technology, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) literacy.
Datuk James Ratib, Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor, at the opening of the Teachers’ Training Programme for the SMJ Robotics Competition on 5 March 2026 at SJKC Lok Yuk, Kota Kinabalu, and delivered the CM’s speech. “Human capital development remains a priority to develop our youth towards achieving progress and excellence,” Hajiji said.
“Skills development and youth empowerment will be strengthened through the expansion of scholarships and education assistance. Sabah has prioritised quality education and especially the focus on initiatives that elevate STEM and innovation in schools. We want to ensure the programmes and initiatives are implemented systematically through close collaboration among education authorities, schools, communities and strategic partners, so that teachers receive the necessary support and students can enjoy meaningful learning experiences,” Hajiji said.
“This teachers’ training programme introduces robotics as an additional activity and adopts a more structured approach through the use of robotics kits and Train-the-Trainer concept.” The use of the LEANBOT (a robotic learning toolkit), supports the integration of physical training and simulation through Digital Twin, along with training accessories such as Field Track/Field Model for testing activities and robotics challenges in the classroom, represents an important hands-on approach, allowing students to learn through the experience of building, testing, making improvements and understanding concepts more deeply, Hajiji added.
