By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, June 10: SPM and STPM leavers who wish to pursue tertiary education are encouraged to visit the Sarawak Education Expo which will be held simultaneously in 42 locations throughout the State from 8.30am to 2pm on June 25.
Sarawak Foundation (Yayasan Sarawak) director Mersal Abang Rosli said the expo aims to disseminate information on educational opportunities available in Sarawak, especially institutions under the auspices of the State government.
Participating institutions are Swinburne University, Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS), Curtin University, i-CATS University College, Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (Centexs), Sarawak Skills Development Centre (PPKS), Laila Taib College, SATT College and Pelita Maslaut Maritime Training Institution.
The expo also provides counselling and guidance services to students in making the right choice towards building a career field that suits the existing qualifications as well as an opportunity to register for enrolment to participating institutions, considering that SPM results will be announced on June 16.
“We are organising the expo in as many locations possible to ensure that there are no ‘blindspots’ because based on my experience this year, there are students who excel in their education but they live in blindspot areas which are without Internet coverage and media channels to guide them on enrolment to universities.
“At the end of the day, they do not know where to go so time is wasted. I managed to assist two students with CGPA 4.00 and yet have not decided where to go. They live in a blindspot area located in Sri Aman, just three hours drive from Kuching,” he said at a press conference held at Sarawak Foundation headquarters in Jalan Sultan Tengah today.
The expo is organised by the Sarawak Foundation in collaboration with Resident and District Offices and State Education Department.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to officiate the event virtually from his residence, while the physical launching will be officiated by elected representatives in their respective areas.
Also to be held at the expo are presentation of school uniform vouchers worth RM200 to invited Form 2 to Form 4 students and distribution of gifts to 2021 STPM students who achieved excellent results.
Mersal also said that Sarawak Foundation is providing a one-off grant worth RM1,000 to M40 and B40 students who have enrolled to public higher learning institutions (IPTAs) or institutions under the Foundation as well as RM1,500 to those going to IPTAs outside the State.
He added that Sarawak Foundation offers an intensive English language course scholarship for 300 B40 students each at Swinburne University, UTS and Curtin University beginning August 2022.
“Meanwhile, students who have completed their education at Centexs will automatically receive a loan repayment discount of 50 per cent of the total loan received,” he added. — DayakDaily
