KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Ministry strategic plan 2022-2025 was launched in efforts to realise the state's vision to become a high technology state in line with the 'Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya' (SMJ) five-year development plan.

       Sabah STI's four-year plan would act as a guideline to create a society knowledgeable in digital technology through human capital development, in line with industry needs in Sabah.

       Sabah STI Minister Datuk Yakub Khan, when launching the strategic plan on Monday (April 25), said the plan consisted of three main cores, including to strengthen the science, technology, innovation and engineering (STIE) ecosystem among government agencies, academia, industry players and the community.

       "The other two are developing infrastructure and digital technology development in order to create a creative and competitive society, as well as to manage a competent and adaptive human resource," he said during the launch.

       The event also saw three Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) inked between various parties in relation to these aspirations.

       Meanwhile, the Ministry's permanent secretary Zainudin Aman said under the first core, they aim to increase students' involvement in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) up to 40%, and to use science input in decision-making level for government programmes and policies.

       Under the second core, the target is to have 100% Internet coverage in urban and rural areas in this state by 2025, as well as the three main cities (Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau) to have 5G coverage by 2025, added Zainudin.