Distinguished guests and members of the organising committee join the award recipients in a group photo on stage.
MIRI (May 10): Youths today must be prepared to face the rapidly-changing world, particularly in the era of the digital economy and emerging technologies.
In giving this advice, Deputy Digital Minister Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong acknowledged that today’s younger generation is growing up in a world vastly different from those before them.
“For today’s young people, information is readily available at their fingertips; technology is advancing rapidly; and learning methods continue to evolve alongside current developments.
“We are now living in a world that is changing at an extremely rapid pace.
“Change no longer happens slowly, but moves swiftly alongside the development of digital technology and AI (artificial intelligence).
“Today, many are discussing AI and how this technology will influence life and the future job market.
“However, what is most important is how we use this technology wisely to strengthen education and the development of the younger generation,” he said this in his officiating address for the ‘2026 Outstanding Dayak Students Awards’ at Boulevard Shopping Mall here yesterday.
Ugak added that AI technology could help prepare learning materials more quickly, assist students in understanding difficult subjects much more easily and provide more interactive and effective learning opportunities.
At the same time, he said technology could also help identify students’ learning levels more effectively so that educational approaches can be tailored according to individual abilities.
However, he also cautioned that digital advancements could also bring challenges such as online fraud, cyber scams, fake news and social media addiction, especially among the youths.
On the event, Ugak congratulated the 115 award recipients from various schools here including SMK Sains, SMK Merbau, SMK Pujut, SMK Lutong and Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang, for their outstanding achievements in the 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and 2024 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examinations.
A total of RM34,600 in cash incentives was presented to the recipients during the ceremony.
Ugak also pointed out that the awards programme symbolised the hard work, sacrifices and achievements of Dayak youths in the field of education.
“Every success celebrated today did not come easily.
“Behind these achievements were the prayers of the parents, the sacrifices of the families, the guidance of the teachers and the determination of the students who never gave up.”
On Sarawak’s development agenda, he said the state government continued to place strong emphasis on education under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), particularly in developing local talents to support Sarawak’s future economy.
He highlighted the implementation of the Sarawak Free Higher Education Scheme (FETS) beginning this year at state-owned higher learning institutions: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak and i-CATS University College.
“The state government has also introduced the i-GPS – Graduan Pulang Sarawak initiative, with approximately RM8 million allocated annually for flight fare subsidies to assist students studying outside Sarawak.
“A RM1,200 pocket allowance is also provided to help ease students’ living expenses throughout the duration of their studies.”
At the ceremony, Ugak announced a RM10,000 grant meant to support the annual awards programme – one of several events run under the Miri Division Gawai Celebration Committee.
Also present yesterday was the 2026 Outstanding Dayak Students Awards Ceremony organising chairman Christopher Narang – also the vice-chairman of the Miri branch of Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA).
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