KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 — The government is committed to ensuring that the construction of Politeknik Kota Belud is completed by 2031, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
He said the effort is not merely to revive a project which has been delayed since 2018, but also to restore hope among the residents of the district, and the wider west coast division of Sabah, for the establishment of a modern Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution, which will serve as a catalyst for future development.
“The reconstruction of Politeknik Kota Belud symbolises the government’s determination to bring meaningful change to the people, enhance youth skills, and drive the growth of new industries in the region,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Earlier, Zambry officiated at the foundation stone laying ceremony for the polytechnic, which is set to play a strategic role in developing a skilled talent ecosystem and creating new employment opportunities.
He said three high-impact areas would be the main focus, namely information technology based on artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy (RE), and smart agricultural technology.
According to Zambry, these focus areas are aligned with the direction of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), ensuring that Sabah not only keeps pace with global trends but also takes the lead in driving transformation.
“It is hoped that this polytechnic will meet the education and training needs of future generations, produce a highly skilled workforce, and serve as an innovation hub, which supports the economic development of Kota Belud and Sabah as a whole,” he said. — Bernama
