Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders with Digital Skills

As digital technology rapidly redefines the future of work and education, young people must develop strong digital literacy skills to stay ahead. From social media awareness to entrepreneurial ventures and academic advancement, digital proficiency is now essential. In Sarawak, efforts to equip youth with these critical competencies are gaining momentum, with government support and youth-led initiatives paving the way.

Learning to Think Critically in a Digital World

Today’s youth consume a massive amount of content online – from news to advertisements and viral trends. Without digital literacy, distinguishing fact from fiction becomes difficult. Recognizing this, students from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) organized a seminar titled “Media Literacy in the Use of News on Social Media” in early 2024. The event aimed to teach participants how to evaluate social media content critically – an essential skill for students, jobseekers, and aspiring entrepreneurs alike.

The Sarawak government has echoed this need. According to Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development, fostering media and information literacy (MIL) is crucial for building a digitally responsible and resilient society. He emphasized the importance of youth understanding not just how to use technology, but also how to question, reflect, and apply it wisely – particularly when it comes to shaping their careers and entrepreneurial paths.

Bridging the Digital Skills Gap

Although digital access has improved in Sarawak, challenges remain in digital skill adoption – especially among educators. An alarming 2024 report revealed that only 1.76% of teachers in Sarawak have mastered advanced tech skills, while 74% remain at intermediate level and 25% at a basic level.

To tackle this, the Ministry of Education has implemented 774 digital and ICT-related training programmes across Sarawak, involving over 81,791 educators. This directly benefits students, ensuring they learn from digitally-competent mentors and receive relevant guidance when planning higher education or career pathways involving tech.

Additionally, digital skills are now embedded into early childhood education. In 2024, the SeDidik curriculum began integrating digital literacy to cultivate curiosity and foundational knowledge in young learners. These efforts are part of Sarawak’s Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 to future-proof its youth from the earliest stages of learning.

Digital literacy shapes course choices in Sarawak, with students favoring ICT, Business, and Media-related fields

From Digital Literacy to Entrepreneurship

For secondary and tertiary students, digital literacy opens doors beyond academic success – it builds entrepreneurial thinking. In late 2023, 50 students from Bintulu joined a Service Learning Malaysia–University for Society (SULAM) programme organized by UPM Bintulu Campus. The initiative merged digital literacy with entrepreneurship, giving youth the tools to explore tech-based business opportunities and online platforms.

As youth increasingly turn to freelancing, online business, or tech-driven startups, understanding how to navigate the digital space becomes vital – not just for communication, but for growth and credibility.

Staying Safe Online

Alongside opportunities, the digital world poses real risks. In 2024 alone, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) removed 56,294 online posts containing fraudulent content, most of which came from Facebook. Youth who spend hours online are especially vulnerable to scams and misinformation.

Thus, digital literacy must also involve digital ethics and safety. Young people need to learn how to protect their data, verify sources, and build a professional, responsible online presence – skills increasingly valued by employers and higher education institutions alike.

Digital literacy boosts career development by equipping individuals with essential tech skills for today’s job market

Conclusion

For youth in Sarawak, digital literacy is more than just knowing how to use technology – it’s about preparing for meaningful careers, building informed communities, and becoming adaptive changemakers. With continued support from educators, institutions, and the government, Sarawakian youth can step confidently into a digital future that rewards curiosity, responsibility, and innovation.

References

Skills Over Certificates: Pathways into Land Surveying in Sarawak

The Truth Behind Influence

Expanding Sarawak’s Literary Landscape

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