By Marlynda Meraw
Higher education costs have long been a formidable barrier for students and families across the globe. In many countries, graduates step out of lecture halls weighed down by astronomical student debts that take decades to repay, dictating major life choices and constantly threatening their credit scores.
Closer to home, financial stress often forces talented youths to halt their studies prematurely out of fear of burdening their families or falling into a revolving door of debt.
Acknowledging these systemic challenges, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg introduced a transformative policy in early 2022: the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES).
Conceived as a bold move to secure equitable access to higher learning and accelerate regional capacity building, the initiative reached a major milestone on March 20, 2025, when the Sarawak Cabinet officially approved its implementation.
Designed to offer free tuition fees for eligible Sarawakian students, the scheme targets recognised State-owned institutions, namely: Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin), Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (Swinburne), the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), and the International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak (i-CATS).
Support spans 64 carefully curated undergraduate programmes focused on high-impact fields including Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Law, Medicine, Accounting, Finance, and Psychology.
Officially coming into force in 2026, the policy embraces a wide-reaching definition of local inclusion. Any Sarawakian bearing the signature “K” indicator on their identity card is eligible to apply. Holders of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) are also eligible, ensuring that diverse educational pathways are honoured.
As doors open and lecture halls welcome a new wave of hopeful scholars, the impact of this policy is best understood through the lived experiences of the students themselves.
Voices from the campus
Behind every policy and financial initiative lie the personal stories of students whose academic journeys are being reshaped. For recipients of FTES, the assistance represents far more than just waived numbers on a tuition statement, it is a foundation for peace of mind, personal growth, and future ambition.
The tangible outcomes of the initiative are already evident on campuses across Sarawak. For Brandon Chan Pei Yong, a Swinburne student pursuing a civil engineering degree, the FTES has profoundly alleviated his family’s financial burdens.
It has removed the weight of tuition fees hanging overhead, allowing him to focus entirely on his academic and personal development. Brandon was already in his second semester when he heard about the scheme.
Taking a chance on the application, he discovered that the FTES is structured to support not only incoming freshmen but also existing students currently navigating their degree programs.
Maintaining a healthy balance between rigorous academics and a vibrant campus life is essential for holistic student development, and financial relief makes that balance possible.
“It’s a breath of relief. I can focus on studying and do extracurricular activities as well,” said Brandon, who channels this newfound bandwidth into his active involvement as a scout member.
In Sibu, Cheng Yee, currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, felt an overwhelming sense of ease upon learning she is an FTES recipient. Having recently completed her Form Six studies, she applied as a new student after a relative recommended the program.
“The cost of studying is not cheap, so this assistance is truly helpful. It gave me the confidence to further my education,” she shared, noting that it provided the mental clarity needed to learn without the perpetual anxiety of timing payments.
Meanwhile, Amos Keagan Hosea, an agrotechnology student at i-CATS, expressed deep gratitude for the support. As the eldest of four siblings, he understands firsthand the heavy financial footprint that higher education places on a household.
“It (FTES) does help a lot in terms of lessening the burden on my family. My parents won’t need to rack up their savings just so I could study comfortably,” he said.
Through these students, the true value of Sarawak’s visionary education policy comes to light. Initiatives like the FTES allow students to experience tertiary education to the fullest, transforming higher learning from a source of constant anxiety into a genuine opportunity for self-discovery.
Instead of being entirely consumed by financial survival, they are given the breathing room to immerse themselves in co-curricular activities, step into leadership roles, and champion community initiatives offered by their respective institutions. The scheme does not just fund degrees; it empowers the next generation of Sarawakian leaders to thrive and innovate.
Giving back to Sarawak
With their education secured, these students share a common vision: contributing their professional skills back to the development of Sarawak. Naturally, each plan to give back through the lens of their respective fields.
Brandon looks forward to playing a role in shaping Sarawak’s expanding public transportation network to provide better, more efficient accessibility for communities across the region, firmly believing that Sarawak possesses the infrastructure potential and vision to meet its goals.
“I had always wanted to become a transportation engineer, handling road planning and public transportation. Seeing Sarawak’s development nowadays, I’m certain I can contribute to these things,” he said.
Similarly, Cheng Yee looks ahead to entering the accounting sector. With sound financial literacy and economic management becoming increasingly vital to the State’s commercial growth, she aims to leverage her degree to contribute meaningfully to Sarawak’s economic resilience and financial transparency.
“I will use what I’ve learned to help the economic growth and the people of Sarawak,” said Cheng Yee.
Amos’ perspective on giving back extends outward to encompass his entire family, reflecting Sarawak’s multi-faceted growth sectors.
“Sarawak is striving for food security. That is where I can contribute with my agrotechnology degree. My brother is studying semiconductors in Japan; Sarawak is looking to expand the semiconductor industry. My other brother is under the aviation field, and Sarawak has AirBorneo.
“We are looking to contribute back to Sarawak in our own way,” he reflected, capturing a shared generational commitment to building the State’s future across agriculture, technology, and transport.
These personal journeys highlight the cyclical value of educational support. State investment in youth bypasses simple tuition subsidies, establishing the structural pillars of regional destiny.
Young minds transition from financial relief to civic responsibility, carrying forward a collective pledge to build a prosperous, self-sustaining Sarawak where every invested ringgit returns tenfold in leadership, innovation, and generational progress.
Room for improvement
While the overarching sentiment toward the FTES is overwhelmingly positive, interviews with recipients also brought forward constructive feedback aimed at refining the scheme for future cohorts.
One student, who wished to remain anonymous, raised a concern regarding the disbursement method of annual stipends. Having witnessed peers occasionally mismanage these funds on matters unrelated to education, they suggested exploring more structured disbursement methods to ensure the financial aid strictly serves its academic purpose.
For most recipients, however, the primary hurdle lies not in the funds themselves, but in the application phase. Brandon, Cheng Yee, and Amos all agreed that while the official process itself moves smoothly once initiated, the preliminary period is marked by gripping uncertainty.
“There’s a lot we’re not sure of. How are we supposed to apply, when will the announcement be made, how do we know if we are the recipient. We won’t know until it happens,” said Brandon.
Cheng Yee echoed similar thoughts, expressing hope that future rollout phases will feature more comprehensive information guides and transparent timelines to assist incoming batches of first-time applicants.
These student voices matter immensely. Honest reflections shape a stronger, more welcoming experience for upcoming applicants. Every shared worry and helpful suggestion provides a roadmap for growth.
Listening to these lived experiences ensures the application process feels as encouraging and supportive as the financial relief waiting at the finish line, empowering every new generation to step forward with absolute confidence.
By the numbers
The numbers behind the FTES paint a clear picture of a policy moving with immense momentum. In its inaugural year of 2026, the Sarawak government allocated a landmark RM250 million to kick-start the initiative, ensuring that eligible Sarawakians can pursue their education without the barrier of tuition fees.
The reach of the scheme has expanded rapidly since its rollout. Data shared by Sarawak Deputy Minister for Women, Children, and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Rosey Yunus indicates that as of August 2026, the FTES has already benefited 8,028 Sarawakians, with total beneficiaries projected to scale up to 10,000 by the end of the year.
Individual campus figures reflect this surge on the ground. At Swinburne, enrolment data points to a strong positive impact, having welcomed 2,100 new students under FTES coverage as of September 2026. Similarly, UTS reported approximately 2,800 enrolled students benefiting from the scheme as of September 2026. Out of this total, 1,500 students also receive comprehensive annual stipends, which include designated housing and accommodation allowances.
Beyond fully covering tuition fees for approved programs, the FTES is designed to bridge the gap for underprivileged households. Students coming from low-income families; defined as those with a monthly household per capita income of RM1,500 and below are eligible to receive a yearly stipend of RM15,000 to support their living and study expenses.
By alleviating these fundamental cost-of-living pressures, the scheme ensures that students do not have to compromise their academic performance by taking on exhausting part-time jobs just to stay afloat.
Investing in the generation of tomorrow
As the first initiative of its kind in Malaysia, the FTES reflects a profound understanding of what matters most to the people of Sarawak.
Premier Abang Johari has long championed education as the most effective weapon against poverty, viewing it as the primary catalyst for long-term social mobility and structural transformation.
“Education is the key to social mobility. We do not want any Sarawakian child to be left behind due to financial constraints.
“We aim to produce engineers, scientists, technologists, doctors, teachers, and professionals who will drive Sarawak’s progress now, and in the future,” said Abang Johari during his Hari Raya Aidilfitri message 2026.
By equipping a new generation with advanced knowledge and future-ready skills, the Sarawak government is building a robust human capital pool tailored for the State’s green, digital, and innovation-led economy.
This support creates a powerful reciprocal cycle: empowered by the State today, these young minds will in turn drive Sarawak’s progress tomorrow.
Looking ahead, the government is already eyeing a second phase for the FTES, with hopes of extending coverage to Sarawakian students enrolled in public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) within the State, including the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak branch.
The FTES is much more than just a financial nor an educational policy; it is a visionary investment in the State’s future.
Truly, what is built today belongs to the generation that follows, and there is no greater reassurance for Sarawak than knowing its future is resting in capable, well-prepared hands. – DayakDaily
