By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Dec 6: Students who are accepted into PPKS/i-Cats (i-Cats) diploma or higher-level courses are now automatically eligible to receive study loans from Yayasan Sarawak.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said having skilled human capital was very important, especially now that Sarawak was shifting to a digital economy and aimed to modernise its agricultural sector.
With Yayasan Sarawak offering direct study loans, these students of i-Cats, especially those from the lower income group, would not have to worry about financial issues while pursuing their studies, he said.
“The moment you are accepted into i-Cats, the state government, through Yayasan Sarawak, approves your loan immediately,” Abang Johari told 1,107 graduating students at i-Cats convocation ceremony at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) this morning.
On another matter, Abang Johari emphasised that Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates are not to be looked down upon as these skilled human capital are the catalysts of nation-building.
This is particularly true for Sarawak as the state shifts towards a digital economy, he added.
“Hence, the relationship between industry players and TVET centres are very important because the demand for TVET graduates would be very high,” he said. — DayakDaily
