Photo caption: MCCC Sabah President Datuk Dexter Lau with NGEO Bob The Builder participants, organisers and volunteers at Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Berhad Industrial Park (KKIP) site, Kota Kinabalu.
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah President Datuk Dexter Lau emphasised the importance of nurturing the next generation through practical education and industry exposure, highlighting the business community’s role in creating meaningful learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
“A chamber of commerce should not only connect businesses, but also create opportunities for the next generation to learn from the industries around them. By exposing children to practical experiences at an early age, we hope to nurture curiosity, confidence and a greater appreciation for different professions,” he said.
He said this in conjunction with “NGEO Bob The Builder: Build&Paint Your Own Mini House”, organised by MCCC Sabah’s New Generation Entrepreneurs Organisation (NGEO) at the Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Berhad Industrial Park (KKIP), involving 30 children of MCCC Sabah members.
Divided into six teams, participants experienced basic construction activities, including mixing cement, laying bricks, measuring structures and painting miniature houses under the guidance of experienced site supervisors.
NGEO Chairlady Charlene Chea said the initiative aimed to make learning more engaging by allowing children to experience how things are built, while gaining an appreciation for the effort and skills involved in construction.
NGEO Deputy Chairlady Katryn Haw added that the programme also highlighted the importance of skilled labour and technical professions, emphasising that academic knowledge and practical skills are equally valuable in the real world.
Beyond the construction activities, the programme also promoted volunteerism among older children of MCCC Sabah members, who served as young volunteers, assisting younger participants while developing leadership, responsibility and a spirit of community service.
The programme was spearheaded by NGEO Chairlady Charlene Chea, Deputy Chairlady Katryn Haw, Secretary Lok Kai Xi and Treasurer Aerith Lee.
NGEO extended special appreciation to Datuk Yong Wei Hau of Fajar Constructions and John Wong of NB Land for sponsoring construction materials and providing experienced site supervisors to guide participants, as well as Deputy Chairlady Katryn Haw for sponsoring the tools and paint.
Through initiatives such as NGEO Bob The Builder, MCCC Sabah hopes to continue fostering practical learning, volunteerism and industry awareness among the younger generation, reinforcing its commitment to developing future generations beyond conventional classroom education.
