Kota kinabalu: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, urged students, particularly those in Sabah, to explore educational opportunities in the fields of energy transition and food security. This call is aligned with future development needs and global shifts towards sustainable energy and increased domestic food production.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mustapha emphasized that these strategic fields have become key priorities as the world moves away from traditional energy sources and towards renewable alternatives. Additionally, there is a pressing need to bolster domestic food production to minimize dependency on imports. "We hope that students in Sabah will choose courses with high employability that align with current global changes," Mustapha stated. He highlighted the importance of moving beyond reliance on oil and gas, citing the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) as a pivotal framework for this shift.
Mustapha underscored the significance of the food security sector, urging students not to underestimate the potential of agriculture and livestock courses offered by universities and polytechnics. He noted that recent global crises have underscored the importance of these sectors. He made these remarks while speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Jom Masuk Universiti 2026 Carnival (Sabah Zone II) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
He further elaborated that Sabah and Sarawak have strong potential for development in energy transition and food security due to their vast land areas and rich natural resources. Sabah's marine resources and extensive land offer significant opportunities for advancing agriculture, livestock, and related industries. However, Mustapha stressed the necessity of developing human capital talent and expertise among Sabah's youth to drive these sectors forward and position the state as a leader in these areas.
Discussing the carnival, Mustapha explained that the two-day event, concluding tomorrow, aims to provide students, particularly Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) holders, with valuable information on courses available at public universities, polytechnics, and community colleges. He highlighted the carnival as a platform for higher education institutions to showcase and inform prospective students about their course offerings.