(Borneo Post; September 23, 2006)

KUCHING: Higher learning institution in the State must play a leading role in stimulating the young minds to reach out the new frontiers in information technology, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said.

He added that the youth of today were 'very impatient'. Schools should realise this and try to help them put into practice what they had learnt.

“Let them try out theories and ideas because this will help stimulate their interests. By exposing them to practical studies, we are preparing them for the job market so that we can find work more easily after graduating,” he said.

Dr Chan was speaking at the prize presentation for the Sarawak Open Source Competition at his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.

The competition was organised by Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (Sains) in collaboration with the Information and Communication Technology Unit (ICTU) of the Chief Minister's Department.

Dr Chan, also Sains chairman, said it was important to employers to constantly find ways to ensure IT-talented youths remain with them.

“Today's youths are very different they no longer want to sit and wait 20 years to become a director. They like to move from one workplace to another because they want to know more and earn more.

“So you must find ways to improve their skill and make them remain loyal to you,” he added.

In the State's public sector, Dr Chan said the government was keeping track of the Open Source as a technology and adopting it in areas where it could benefit the agencies.

He said the government also encouraged the community, including institutions and business, to participate in the Open Source paradigm, not to go into development of solutions.