Kota Kinabalu: University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) should add value to the more than 10 Diploma and Degree programmes to meet market needs, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
This includes more attention to strengthening the Science academic programme, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) and empowerment of the Technical Education & Training (TVET) education system to meet the challenges of Industrial Revolution 4.0. Hajiji said the State Government would continue to provide full support for UCSF’s efforts in improving the quality of education.
“Education is the booster of creativity and generator of innovation that complete young generation with the necessary skills to compete in the job market and become an enabler of economic development.
“Therefore, UCSF has taken the proactive step of creating a new entity among them the Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Science, Technology and Innovation Centre (STIC), the UCSF Entrepreneurship Centre and some ongoing research.
“I hope all this will achieve the desired goal and benefit the stakeholders”, he said at UCSF’s 3rd Convocation for 166 students at the Sabah International Convention Center (SICC), Saturday.
Hajiji said the State Government’s commitment to economic growth is undivided and has an open door policy for investors.
“We are also exploring new economic sources including the Blue Economy which will bring a new dimension to Sabah’s economy, centred on the direction of Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ).
“Our focus is to create an environment that is conducive to business development, attracting domestic and foreign investment, as well as ensuring our workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to meet future demands,” Hajiji said.
He is confident UCSF graduates are able to support the development process across various sectors such as tourism and hospitality, agriculture, manufacturing, social and community development, and creative industries.
Hajiji believed that in the coming years more foreign direct investments can be expected.
UCSF Vice Chancellor Dr Rafiq Idris said UCSF offered courses at the diploma and degree level in four different faculties namely, Faculty of Management & Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Arts & Creative Media, Faculty of Development & Multi Cultural Studies and Faculty of Natural Science & Sustainability.
There are also courses at certificate level.
“For example, there is a Special Native programme to train Sabah children for art courses within six to eight months, even as short as 1 week.
“We organize many training programmes at the community level such as in Paitan, Tuaran, Kiulu, Papar, Kota Belud, Lahad Datu, Mesapol Sipitang and most recently a short course in Tawau. UCSF also strives to produce students in business, financial and digital literate,” said Dr Rafiq.
Dr Rafiq said UCSF is also in the process of preparing strategic programmes in collaboration with Petronas University of Technology and Islamic Sciences University (USIM).
“We are still in the process of applying and preparing to offer the Basic Science programme as well as degree in architecture in Sabah,” he said.
