By William Isau
SIBU, Nov 4: Sarawak’s five State-owned universities will now admit students solely based on merit, not quotas.
Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said that removing the quota system will enable the State to progress towards becoming a developed region by nurturing top talent.
“I recently uploaded a video clip on my TikTok account (highlighting) the importance of education. The video has attracted over 100,000 viewers.
“In that video, I emphasised that enrolment of students into the five State-owned universities is now based on meritocracy.
“What I am trying to say here is that it’s time for students to know that the enrolment into these five universities is (no longer) based on a quota system. In order words, it is based on meritocracy,” he said at the Sarawak Career and Training Fair 2024 on Saturday (Nov 2).
He also said with the meritocracy system, students will have to compete for university placements.
“The time has come for students to realise the importance of competition in order to secure spots in these universities,” he said, adding that it is the only way to pick the best of the best among the students.
To enable rural students to gain admission into these universities, he said that the Sarawak government is upgrading schooling facilities including spending RM15 million this year in providing free tuition for Form 3 and 5 students.
Dr Annuar was representing the MEITD Minister Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn at the function. — DayakDaily
