UiTM: Premier agreeable to free IPTA education next

KUCHING: The free tertiary education programme to be implemented by the Sarawak government from next year will also be extended to students from the state who are studying at public higher education institutions (IPTA) under the second phase of the initiative.

Rector of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Professor Dr Firdaus Abdullah, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has essentially agreed to the proposal, especially for students at UiTM Sarawak Branch, to develop a skilled workforce.

“Abang Johari has essentially agreed, and this will be implemented in the next phase, which is the second phase, where free education will be extended to Sarawakian students from local public higher education institutions, especially UiTM Sarawak Branch,” he said after paying a courtesy visit to the Premier at Wisma Bapa Malaysia on today (March 10).

In the first phase, free education will be provided to Sarawakians enrolled at universities owned by Sarawak beginning next year.

In addition, Dr Firdaus added that Abang Johari also proposed assisting the Sarawak government in agricultural transformation.

He explained that one of the Premier’s proposals is to make the Mukah Campus, which has 500 hectares of land, a hub for rice planting projects, particularly in research and development (R&D) for rice seeds, productivity and rice yields.

“So, we will consider the Premier’s proposal and will establish a research team for the study and propose to the Sarawak government how we can assist in terms of technology, infrastructure, and rice cultivation productivity for Sarawak, including carbon storage because rice planting is related to this issue,” he explained.

Additionally, he said Abang Johari also proposed that the UiTM Sarawak Branch prepare a working paper to establish a research and development (R&D) laboratory for a microalgae project.

In another development, Dr Firdaus proposed to the Premier to establish a ‘Tun Openg History and Heritage Chair.’

He explained that UiTM will collaborate with the chair to conduct research on the development of Islam and the cultural history of Sarawak.