KOTA KINABALU: The state government encourages children to participate in student exchange programmes to gain exposure and develop their creativity.
Education and Innovation deputy minister Jennifer Lasimbang said this was also in line with efforts to develop a creative industry in Sabah such as in disciplines like filming and art.
“The state has a pool of talented young people but they have not had the opportunity to venture outside their comfort zone. These programmes tie in well with our efforts to build global citizens among our people.
"We have to encourage our children to travel abroad so that they can see other places which will open their minds to creative ideas," she told reporters after the launch of Malaysian-Japanese Children Drawing Exhibition at the Tanjung Aru Library here today.
A total of 300 drawings are being displayed in the 10-day exhibition. At the end of the exhibition, 140 works by children from 26 primary schools in Sabah will be up for display in Japan, while 160 works by Japanese schoolchildren will become the state's collection.
The exhibition is part of the collaboration between Sabah State Library, Sabah Education Department, and Japan's Authorised NPO Corporation MAY Asaka Centre (MAY Library).
Also present at the event were Sabah Library director Wong Vui Yin, MAY Library representative Fumiko Oike and Japanese consulate general Shisho Kako.
Jennifer said through the collaboration, the state was considering sending children who show potential to Japan for a summer or winter camp.
"This is part of nurturing and making creativity flourish," she added.
Meanwhile, Fumiko said drawings by Sabah children would become a reference to their Japanese counterparts when it comes to knowledge development.
"Through art, they can learn about each other's culture. We are in support of global education. We want our children to enhance their perception of the world and knowledge about the various cultures at an international level," she said.