SERIAN, 17 March 2026 – Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak Branch continues its mission to democratise Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education through the Gift of STEM Education 2025 programme on 5 MARCH 2026. The initiative reached a new milestone today with the official STEM Laboratory Equipment Handover Ceremony held at SK St Elizabeth Tijirak, Serian.
Building on the success of its 2024 framework, the programme has now expanded into the Serian Division. To date, four high-impact STEM laboratories have been established across Sarawak, specifically at SJK(C) Bintawa and SK St Andrew (Kuching Division), as well as SK St Peter and SK St Elizabeth Tijirak (Serian Division).
The project is a strategic “Triple Helix” collaboration between UiTM Sarawak Branch, the Rotary Club of Kuching Central, and industry partner T & J Engineering Sdn. Bhd., with the support of the Sarawak State Education Department, Invention and Design Association of Sarawak (IDEAS), and local District Education Offices (PPD).
The ceremony was officiated by YB Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Sarawak Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development. In his keynote address, he underscored the vital role of well-equipped facilities in nurturing a culture of innovation.
“Well-equipped STEM laboratories are essential in allowing students to visualise abstract concepts and apply classroom knowledge to real-world problem-solving. These facilities are the breeding ground for the critical thinkers and innovators Sarawak needs for the future,” Dato Sri Roland Sagah stated.
Professor Dr. Firdaus Abdullah, Rector of UiTM Sarawak Branch, highlighted the university’s role in shaping active learning spaces. “These laboratories are designed for exploration. We want students to develop mathematical reasoning and scientific curiosity through hands-on collaborative activities that go beyond traditional textbooks,” he remarked.
The initiative also reflects the corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment of the private sector. Dato’ Thomas Ngu Sing Hieng, CEO of T & J Engineering Sdn. Bhd. and representative of the Rotary Club of Kuching Central, expressed his dedication to grassroots educational development, noting that plans for further expansion are already in motion.
Beyond physical equipment, the Gift of STEM Education programme adopts a holistic approach by providing Innovative Pedagogical Training: Specialized sessions for Science and Mathematics teachers to master new teaching tools and Motivational Camps: One-day intensive sessions designed to inspire students and boost academic confidence.
UiTM Sarawak and its partners remain committed to ensuring that every young learner in Sarawak, regardless of geographical location, has access to quality STEM resources, ultimately building a strong foundation for the nation’s technological advancement.