Latest news with #LEDC
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
SELC 2025 announces sponsors, contributions for rural communities
KUCHING (Aug 5): HONOR Technology (M) Sdn Bhd and Pelangi Publishing have signed up as sponsors of the Sarawak English Literacy Conference (SELC) 2025, which will be held here next month. HONOR Technology (M) Sdn Bhd is the official technology partner of the Layar Education Development Committee (LEDC), while Pelangi Publishing is a longstanding leader in educational publishing. LEDC is jointly organising the conference with Place Borneo Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Jolly Learning and STEM Learning UK. As part of its contribution in-kind, HONOR Technology is donating 25 units of the Honor Pad 9 Wi-Fi tablets, which will be distributed to students in the Layar district. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide by enhancing access to technology and fostering more inclusive, tech-enabled learning environments for rural learners. In addition to its financial backing, Pelangi Publishing has proposed a community-focused initiative, offering free science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) training sessions for teachers in the Layar district. These sessions, developed in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, are based on their co-published STEM book series and aim to boost teaching capacity in STEM education. The SELC 2025 organising committee extends its appreciation to both HONOR Technology and Pelangi Publishing for their contributions. Their support will not only enhance the quality and reach of the conference but also contribute meaningfully to education development in underserved communities. Registration is now open for SELC 2025, with standard rates set at RM890.92 for Malaysian delegates and USD300 for international participants. It will take place from Sept 17 to 19 at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre. For more information or sponsorship enquiries, please visit or contact the secretariat at +6082 555 189 or [email protected].
Borneo Post
27-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Layar education group backs Sagah's emphasis on STEM for rural communities
Paul also pointed out that SELC 2025 is HRD Corp claimable, making it an accessible professional development opportunity for both educators and employers. KUCHING (July 27): Layar Education Development Committee (LEDC) chairman Paul Langgang has voiced his full support for the call to action from State Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, on the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) for the rural communities. 'There is no doubt that Sarawak's rural communities must embrace Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in order to be fully prepared for the state's future development,' said Paul. 'Equally important is the ability to address the language of STEM, which is why we have initiated the Sarawak English Literacy Conference (SELC) 2025, scheduled to take place from Sept 17 to 19, 2025, at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre (HEEC) in Kuching.' Paul also pointed out that SELC 2025 is HRD Corp claimable, making it an accessible professional development opportunity for both educators and employers. He made this remarks during a recent SELC 2025 Steering Committee meeting. The conference is jointly organised by LEDC and Place Borneo Sdn Bhd, with the collaboration of educational partners including Jolly Learning and STEM Learning UK. Sagah had made the call at the STEM Catalysts Raspberry Pi 2025 programme held at SMK Long Lama, Baram, recently, asserting that it was no longer acceptable to say that the 3Rs—reading, writing, and arithmetic—are enough for rural children. 'Our future depends on our ability to master science, technology, and digital knowledge. You too can excel in coding and STEM regardless of your location,' he said. SELC 2025 will convene renowned international education experts to support Sarawak's mission of strengthening English literacy and STEM education in schools. Among the featured speakers is Gilbert Jolly, Managing Director of Jolly Learning, the UK-based publisher behind the globally acclaimed Jolly Phonics programme. He has been instrumental in expanding the reach of phonics-based learning tools in classrooms worldwide and will share insights on their global impact and the future of phonics in literacy education. Also speaking at the event is Sarah Dagnell, a professional development leader with STEM Learning UK. With over a decade of experience in primary science education, Sarah specialises in helping schools and teachers enhance STEM outcomes through curriculum design, training, and evidence-based teaching strategies. SELC 2025 aims to equip educators with innovative teaching strategies, aligned with Sarawak's Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy, to build a future-ready workforce. The conference is expected to draw participants from across Malaysia and the region. It is supported by the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD), the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, the Sarawak State Education Department, Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak Branch, whose contributions reflect a strong and collective commitment to advancing education in Sarawak. Registration is now open, with standard rates set at RM890.92 for Malaysian delegates and USD300 for international participants. Outstation teachers may also apply for a special subsidy extended by MEITD through LEDC and Place Borneo, subject to terms and conditions for eligibility. Eligible participants may also tap into the Geran Tahunan Khas offered by the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development. For more information and registration details, visit or contact Mr Emierson at +6082 555 189 or [email protected]. lead Paul Langgang rural communities SELC STEM
Borneo Post
16-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
SELC 2025: Empowering educators, youths to meet Sarawak's 2030 vision
Gerald (third left) in a group photo after a meeting on SELC 2025 with (from left) LEDC chairman and conference convenor Paul Langgang; Place Borneo director and principal consultant, Gracie Geikie; Sarawak Education Department representative Eileen Guan; conference committee member, Mike Cannon; and Dr. Steve Ancheh, LEDC project coordinator. KUCHING (July 16): Language and literacy are crucial building blocks in ensuring Sarawak's readiness for the future as the state strides confidently towards a high-income economy by 2030. In an exclusive interview, Sarawak English Literacy Conference (SELC) 2025 advisor, Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, highlighted the pivotal role of English literacy in strengthening Sarawak's human capital development and preparing the younger generation for the demands of an increasingly globalised and technology-driven world. 'English is not just a language; it is a tool for access,' said Rentap, who is Sarawak's Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development. 'When we look at our Post-COVID Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), and the direction and directives from our Premier, it is clear that economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social inclusivity will require a highly skilled workforce, especially in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). 'But this cannot exist in isolation. STEM must be accompanied by strong English literacy, beginning from early childhood.' Scheduled to take place from Sept 17 to 19, 2025, at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre (HEEC) here, SELC 2025 is designed as a strategic platform to support the Sarawak Government's ongoing efforts to elevate English language proficiency across all levels of education, from early childhood to the tertiary level. Rentap emphasised the significance of introducing synthetic phonics at an early age, noting its proven effectiveness in building strong language foundations that can later support science and technological learning. 'This conference brings in internationally renowned speakers in phonics, education, and STEM — all of whom will share valuable methodologies and global best practices. 'With support from international experts from Jolly Learning and STEM Learning UK, we want our educators, not just in Sarawak but from across Malaysia and beyond, to benefit from this knowledge-sharing opportunity,' he said. He also touched on the strategic importance of investing in educators themselves, asserting that a strong education system depends not only on the curriculum but also on the capacity and commitment of its teachers. 'If we are to prepare our youth for tomorrow's challenges, from hydrogen energy to aerospace, from carbon management to artificial intelligence, then our teachers must be equipped with the tools and vision to guide them.' Describing SELC 2025 as a 'homegrown conference with international ambition', Rentap remarked that the initiative aligns strongly with Sarawak's broader aspirations. 'This is not just an event, it is part of a long-term vision. We are grateful to the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development and the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, as well as the Sarawak State Education Department and Business Events Sarawak, for their support in making this a reality.' And with the introduction of free tertiary education in Sarawak from next year, the emphasis on literacy and technical knowledge is more crucial than ever. 'We want our youth to have every opportunity to succeed, not only here in Sarawak but on the global stage. If they are equipped with strong English skills and a foundation in science and technology, they can go anywhere,' Rentap said. SELC 2025 aspires to influence future educational policies and strategies, helping to position Sarawak as a knowledge-forward and future-ready state by 2030. The conference is jointly organised by Place Borneo and Layar Education Development Committee in collaboration with Jolly Learning and STEM Learning UK. For more information and registration details, visit or contact Emierson at +6082 555 189 or [email protected]. English Gerald Rentap Jabu SELC 2025
Borneo Post
12-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
SELC 2025 organiser, UiTM Sarawak ink pact to strengthen academic collab
Dr Firdaus (front, left) exchanges documents with Gracie. Also seen is Paul (back, centre). KUCHING (July 12): The Sarawak English Literacy Conference (SELC) 2025 organising committee and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak, have entered into a formal partnership in a strategic move to strengthen academic collaboration and elevate English literacy, A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed on Thursday by UiTM Sarawak rector Professor Dr Firdaus Abdullah and Gracie Geikie, Director and Principal Consultant of Place Borneo Sdn Bhd. The ceremony was witnessed by Layar Education Development Committee (LEDC) chairman, Paul Langgang. SELC is jointly organised by Place Borneo and LEDC in collaboration with Jolly Learning and STEM Learning UK. Under the agreement, UiTM Sarawak will provide both management and operational support for the academic components of SELC 2025, which will be held from Sept 17 to 19, 2025, at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre (HEEC), here. The collaboration marks a significant step forward in ensuring academic excellence as UiTM will play a leading role in shaping the conference's scholarly direction. Dr Firdaus said UiTM Sarawak branch placed strong emphasis on English proficiency, with most courses delivered in English across various faculties. 'The university supports students through integrated language learning and professional communication modules. UiTM also maintains ISO 9001 certification and is committed to achieving global recognition through quality assurance, curriculum enhancement, research, and innovation.' Paul added: 'This collaboration is about building a lasting legacy, empowering our educators, and establishing a platform for long-term capacity.' A key feature of the partnership is the appointment of Sheela Faizura Nik Fauzi from UiTM's Academy of Language Studies as Co-Chairman of the academic segment of the conference. Siti Huzaimah Sahari will oversee the whole process. They will collaborate closely with Dr Steve Ancheh and Alison Creena Wong of LEDC to ensure the academic segment runs smoothly. SELC is expected to bring together a dynamic line-up of speakers to explore innovative approaches to literacy teaching and learning. Backed by strong institutional support, the event is endorsed by the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, the Sarawak State Education Department, and Business Events Sarawak. Their involvement emphasises Sarawak's ongoing efforts to raise educational standards and nurture future-ready learners in a rapidly changing world. Standard-rate registration for the conference is now open, with fees set at RM890.92 for Malaysian delegates and USD300 for international delegates. These rates are inclusive of Sales and Service Tax (SST) and applicable bank charges. For more information on the conference or to register, please visit or contact Emierson at +6082 555 189 or via email at [email protected]. lead Sarawak English Literacy Conference SELC UiTM
CBC
27-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
London announces first steps to reshape local economy as U.S. tariffs loom
Social Sharing City Hall, alongside two London-based economic development groups, announced the first steps toward shoring up the local economy in the face of the threat of crushing tariff threats from the United States. Those steps include three initiatives to meet the challenge of helping local businesses re-orient themselves in a world where domestic trade could become increasingly important for their wellbeing. "I think we all expect interprovincial trade barriers to be taken down. That means we need to shift our programs to try to encourage our small businesses and new entrepreneurs to take advantage of those new opportunities, and East West trade across the country," Josh Morgan said Wednesday. The moves, jointly announced by the City of London, the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) and the London Small Business Centre, come weeks after Morgan convened a meeting of local business and institutional leaders to discuss tariff threats from the United States. Those threats began last November and have since ramped up, with U.S. President Donald Trump poised until today to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods on March 4. Today, Trump's administration announced those tariffs could be coming later, based on negotiations. Helping food and beverage manufacturers Wednesday's announcement included a special focus on manufacturers of food and beverage. "Food processing is an area that we have identified as a key significant sector," said Steve Pellarin, the Small Business Centre's executive director. Pellarin said on top of the sector being known to be resilient in economic downturn scenarios, it's practical given southwestern Ontario's robust agricultural sector. "All the raw materials are here," he said. The Foodpreneur Advantage Scale Up program that helps businesses get established and grow is being enhanced. It will now better help small manufacturers get their products on Canadian grocery store shelves, without the current interprovincial barriers. It's an adjustment that's being paired with greater cooperation between the Small Business Centre and LEDC to not only help businesses as they start up, but continue to help them as they grow from medium, to sometimes large businesses. "What the threat of tariffs has done is force us to take a good hard look at where opportunities for collaboration are. That can be anything from the way that one program flows into another, to sharing resources between programs," said Pellarin. "It's all part of the equation." On top of shoring up the Foodpreneur program, the NewStart program, which connects newcomers with the resources they need to start a business, will be folded into this collaboration with LEDC. Pellarin said the programs, together, are expected to support and create more than 45 companies, and create close to 200 new jobs. Attracting newcomers and ensuring their success Another prong of the approach, headed by the LEDC, is a push to attract international businesses to London. A partnership with Global Start-Ups in Toronto will try to bring in international entrepreneurs with business plans that are pre-vetted, who also have financial resources and approved immigration. According to Kapil Lakhotia, LEDC's president, despite uncertainty and tariff threats causing concerns for foreign investors, attracting overseas business remains important. "That's why we are working in different parts of the world with established businesses. It's important to not panic, but build on our region's strength and create new strategies to keep diversifying our economy," Lakhotia said. LEDC says the partnership with Global Start-Ups has already resulted in a positive outlook. It's believed nearly a dozen businesses are looking at London, which could create more than 50 jobs. Moving forward, Lakhotia and Morgan said, work to diversify London's economy and build it up will continue.
