Link: https://ukas.sarawak.gov.my/web/subpage/news_view/44737

Translated by Uilson Ng

KUCHING: A total of 634 students from across Sarawak have taken part in the SMD IC Design Make-A-Thon 2026, a talent development initiative aimed at nurturing future semiconductor engineers and supporting the state’s ambition to become a high-income, innovation-driven economy.

Organised by SMD Semiconductor, the third edition of the programme went beyond a conventional competition by providing young Sarawakians with hands-on exposure to integrated circuit (IC) design, innovation and real-world problem-solving through industry mentorship.

Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said developing talent was crucial to Sarawak’s transformation into a high-value economy.

“Under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, Sarawak is moving decisively towards becoming a high-income and innovation-driven economy. But no roadmap, no policy and no investment can succeed without one critical factor — talent,” he said.

SMD Semiconductor Chairman and Sarawak State Financial Secretary, Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar said the future of Sarawak’s semiconductor industry depended on developing skilled talent equipped with courage, creativity and vision.

Held from March to July 2026, the programme featured statewide roadshows and a three-day state-level competition in Kuching, involving 575 secondary school students and 59 university students from 64 institutions across Sarawak.

Following a selection process, 58 finalists from 23 institutions advanced to the final stage, forming 15 multidisciplinary teams comprising secondary and university students from Miri, Sibu and Kuching.

The initiative was organised with the support of the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Sarawak, in collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) and learning partner Chumbaka.

The event also saw the exchange of collaboration agreements between SMD Semiconductor and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, as well as Curtin University Malaysia, to strengthen microelectronics education and research capabilities.

The partnerships include access to advanced Electronic Design Automation software and the establishment of the SMD-Curtin IC Research & Innovation Lab to provide students with industry-standard tools and training.

The initiative supports the Sarawak Semiconductor Roadmap 2030, which targets the creation of 3,000 high-skilled jobs and RM2 billion in chip-related investments. -UKASnews