KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will be having the first sandbox next year.

State Science, Technology and Innovation minister Datuk Yakub Khan said it was made possible with the collaborations with Sabah Net, Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre(SCENIC), National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS) and MRANTI.

MRANTI is the combination of Technology Park Malaysia (TPM) and the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC).

“The sandbox concept was started since 2017 to test technology and to provide innovative solutions in many sectors or also known as ‘test bed’.

“Sandbox will be a platform for the youth to test new technology idea that can spearhead the state economy.

“It could help to drive the state economy, increase the productivity of the public and private sectors as well as indirectly promote the cultivating of science, technology and innovation (STI) ,” he said in his winding up speech during the state assembly sitting.

He added the Ministry through SCENIC will also partner with Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM) to build Space Flagship Design in Sabah.

The Design space is a complete STI Design Hub for working on creative and innovative ideas in addressing issues local socio-economy.

“Design space will incorporating elements of machine workshop, workshop Crafts, or studios that allow the general public, academics / students, startups, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) companies as well community to share resources and knowledge in the field of STIE.”.