CENTEXS : Marking 10 Years of Innovation, Growth, and Impact for Sarawak

Distinguished guests and honorees comes together at the CENTEXS 10^th Anniversary Dinner, where a total of 14 awards were presented to acknowledge remarkable achievements and contributions to the institution’s journey. The evening celebrated CENTEXS’s decade-long dedication to skill development and innovation in Sarawak, with each award highlighting individuals and teams who have excelled in their respective fields. The event, held on 23 October 2024, reflected CENTEXS’s commitment to fostering excellence and growth in the community. Photo from Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia

The Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) recently commemorated its 10^th anniversary with a prestigious dinner event at The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching.

This landmark occasion brought together over 300 esteemed guests, including government ministers, deputy ministers, heads of departments, key industry partners, and educational institution leaders from across Sarawak.

The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak, served as the Guest of Honour, underscoring the government’s continued support for CENTEX’s mission.

Welcomed by CENTEXS Chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi bin Abdul Ghani, along with CENTEXS Board of Directors and CEO, Dato Haji Syeed Mohd Hussien Bin Wan Abdul Rahman, the Premier expressed appreciation for CENTEXS’s role in preparing Sarawak’s next generation of skilled professionals across diverse sectors.

In a nostalgic segment, attendees were treated to an anniversary video reflecting on CENTEX’s journey since its establishment on 1 October 2014 when the institution was conceived by the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and the late Pehin Sri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Adenan Satem to meet the rising demand for technical talent in Sarawak.

From humble beginnings under Yayasan Sarawak, CENTEXS has transformed into a vital institution, enhancing Sarawak’s technical and digital training capacity with a clear focus on industry relevance.

Celebrating Commitment: Honouring Long-Serving CENTEXS Staff

A key highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Long Service Award to select CENTEXS staff, recognizing their dedication to advancing the institution’s mission.

These staff members have been instrumental in CENTEXS’s growth, helping to establish a training hub that has produced over 4,395 graduates skilled in fields ranging from construction and agriculture to digital marketing and green energy.

Approximately 74% of CENTEXS’s programs now offer internationally recognized certifications, ensuring graduates are well prepared for high demand industries and competitive global markets.

Expanding Presence and Impact Across Sarawak

CENTEXS has steadily expanded its campus network to include six strategic locations in Kuching, Lundu, betong, Mukah, Dalat, and Lawas, with a new branch underway in Teng Bukap, Serian.

This expanded presence enables CENTEXS to deliver targeted training programs tailored to local industry needs, enhancing Sarawak’s workforce in sectors such as oil and gas, construction, hospitality, and advanced digital field like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.

These expansion efforts align with Sarawak’s development strategies under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) and the Sarawak 2030 vision, aimed at fostering a technologically advanced, economically robust, and inclusive society.

Forging New Pathways: The Aerospace Academy and AI Initiatives

CENTEXS continues to respond to emerging industry demand with pioneering programs. Notably, the institution launched its Aerospace Academy on 18 October 2024, at CENTEXS Lundu, supporting Sarawak’s goal of becoming a regional aerospace hub.

This academy will equip Sarawakians with specialized skills in aerospace technology, helping the state participate in this high-potential, fast evolving sector.

Furthering its focus on future technologies, CENTEXS has launched a Generative AI and Robotics, aligned with the Sarawak AI Centre’s (SAIC) mission of building a thriving AI ecosystem.

The academy’s first Machine Learning cohort, certified by Amazon Web Services (AWS), consists of 22 students who will soon graduate with expertise in areas such as robotics, advanced composite materials, and precision framing. These graduates are positioned to drive innovation within internal CENTEXS projects in green energy, construction automation, and aerospace.