KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is pushing for initiatives in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) to meet global challenges.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the state Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and other related agencies had been instructed to attract more students to the Stem disciplines.
Hajiji said the changes in the global landscape and challenges in the country demanded for more highly-motivated students in Stem.
"The state government will continue to ensure that science and technology benefit everyone as the country gears towards a progressive and high technology nation," he said during the virtual closing of the three-month Sabah Science Carnival today.
He said the Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia had entrusted the state Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to build a 185.8 square metres (sq m) flagship design building.
It will be located at the Creative Economy and Innovation Centre in the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park to help spur innovations among people in the state.
Hajiji, who is also the state Finance Minister, said, Sabah 4G Internet connectivity would be increased up to 90 per cent by 2023 via an allocation of RM3.5 billion under the National Digital Networking programme (Jendela).
Some 51 telecommunication towers have been completed while another 483 are under construction, he said.
He added that the Jendela programme was important to support the digital economic agenda and provide opportunities from the latest technology and innovations.
The chief minister also said the state Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry would install the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) facility in 300 locations, particularly schools next year.
The VSAT facility have been installed in 55 sites this year to complement the Jendela programme in collaboration with the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission.