By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 10: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has agreed in principle to extend the free education policy to Sarawakians studying in public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) in the State, including Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak Branch.
In a TVS news report, UiTM Sarawak Rector Professor Dr Firdaus Abdullah said the proposal was forwarded to Abang Johari during a courtesy visit at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
“We (UiTM Sarawak) proposed that scholarships or free education for Sarawakians be extended to students from public institutions, especially UiTM.
“Abang Johari agreed in principle to this proposal, which he said would be the second phase (of the policy),” he said to reporters after the courtesy call.
The first phase will see free education provided to Sarawakians studying at State-owned universities starting next year.
According to him, the proposal is part of efforts for further talent development in Sarawak.
At the same time, he said that the Premier had suggested that UiTM Sarawak work with the Sarawak government to transform the region’s agricultural sector, including in Mukah.
“Seeing as UiTM Sarawak has a campus in Mukah, he (Abang Johari) proposed that a hub and centre for paddy cultivation projects involve UiTM in research and development (R&D), especially in the aspects of paddy seeds, productivity, and paddy yields,” he said.
Additionally, he revealed that among the proposals submitted to the Premier was the establishment of the Tun Openg History and Heritage Chair, which aims to study the development of Islam and cultural history in Sarawak. — DayakDaily
