KUCHING: Sarawak is set to make history by hosting the Sarawak English Literacy Conference (SELC) 2025, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Malaysia aimed at strengthening English literacy and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning.
Organised by the Layar Education Development Committee (LEDC) with the support of the Ministry for Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) and Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), the conference will take place from 17 to 19 September 2025 at the Hikmah Exchange, Kuching.
Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu stressed that mastery of the English language is not just a communication tool, but is the key to academic success, economic opportunities and the ability to compete internationally.
“In an increasingly globalised world, English proficiency enables our people to access knowledge, compete in the international job market, and interact confidently in cross-cultural conversations,” he said at the official press conference of the SELC 2025 launch.
He also emphasised that English literacy must go hand in hand with the cultural strength and multilingual heritage of the people of Sarawak.
Drawing inspiration from Sarawak’s vision of developing a highly skilled workforce, SELC 2025 serves as a catalyst in efforts to improve the literacy level and competency of the workforce in the fields of STEM.
The event is expected to attract the participation of over 1,000 delegates, including educators, students, policymakers, and industry leaders who will come together to discuss strategies to improve English and STEM proficiency among Sarawakians.
The conference will feature keynote speeches, panel sessions and workshops conducted by literacy and STEM experts from home and abroad.
One of the main focuses of SELC 2025 is STEM-Literacy Integration, which incorporates literacy elements in STEM education to enhance students’ understanding of both fields in a more practical and effective way.
The conference will also serve as an important platform to explore innovative teaching methods, discuss literacy development strategies, and formulate policy proposals that can strengthen education in Sarawak.
With a comprehensive approach that emphasises the integration of literacy and STEM, SELC 2025 seeks to ensure that Sarawak’s students and workforce have the skills needed to compete in an increasingly challenging global economy.
With strong support from various parties, SELC 2025 is expected to be a turning point for major changes in Sarawak’s education system, not only in the field of English literacy but also in producing a highly skilled workforce in STEM. -UKASnews
