By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, April 17: i-CATS University College is set to operate from three separate locations—Stampin, Lundu, and Tropics City (near Tabuan Dayak)—as part of a major expansion that will see the institution grow its physical footprint and academic offerings across Sarawak.
Vice Chancellor Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi said the expansion marks a new chapter for the university, which is wholly owned by the Sarawak government under the umbrella of Yayasan Sarawak and Sarawak Skills.
“In three or four months, insha-Allah, we are going to be operating from three sites—Stampin, Lundu, and Tropics City.
“We are expanding and developing to include new programs and faculties,” he said during the Sarawak Aerospace Transformation Forum 2025 held at Raia Hotel & Convention Centre here today.
The existing Stampin campus will remain a core part of i-CATS’ operations, while the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering will soon be relocated to a new dedicated campus in Lundu, about 70 kilometres from Kuching.
The Lundu campus is being developed in collaboration with the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) and Sarawak Skills, and will focus specifically on aerospace engineering.
Meanwhile, Tropics City—located in Tabuan Dayak—will become the new home for most of i-CATS’ non-science, non-technology, and non-engineering faculties. This move is intended to streamline and better distribute the university’s academic programmes.
In addition to the multi-campus model, i-CATS is also planning a long-term relocation to a permanent main campus in Trombol.
Located on a 220-acre coastal site popular with weekend visitors, the Trombol campus will be developed in phases, with RM350 million allocated by the government for Phase 1. It is expected to accommodate between 2,000 and 2,500 students, with operations targeted to begin by 2028 or 2029.
The university is also looking ahead with the planned establishment of a new Faculty of Energy Transition.
“This is something new, and it has already been approved by our board of directors,” Kadim said.
i-CATS is currently engaging with major stakeholders, including Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) and Sarawak Energy Berhad, and aims to begin admitting students to the new faculty by 2026—just in time for Sarawak’s rollout of free tertiary education for local students.
Speaking to reporters after the function, Kadim revealed that the new Aerospace Engineering Faculty will offer several academic programmes, starting with the Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering, which will commence in August 2025. This will be followed in 2026 by two additional programmes—Bachelor of Technology in Avionics and Bachelor of Technology in Aircraft Maintenance.
“These academic programmes are just the beginning. What’s more important is the research that will follow.
“We aim to support the aerospace industry through initiatives such as the development of small satellites, and possibly in the future, launching capabilities for rockets,” he explained. — DayakDaily
