By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 4: Expanding Sarawak’s Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) to federal public universities in the State could widen access to higher education for more young Sarawakians, particularly those from lower- and middle-income families and rural and interior areas.
Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Kuching branch acting secretary and youth chief Nicholas Wung said the State government’s proposal to study the expansion reflected its commitment to investing in local talent and ensuring that financial constraints did not prevent deserving students from pursuing tertiary education.
According to a statement, Wung said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had indicated that students at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu campus could potentially be covered under the scheme.
However, he noted that the proposal remained subject to further study and the existing list of 64 approved programmes under FTES.
“The value of FTES is not only about reducing tuition fees. It is also about ensuring that capable young Sarawakians are not denied the opportunity to pursue higher education simply because of their family’s financial situation,” he said today.
He said the initiative would be particularly beneficial to lower- and middle-income households, as well as students from rural and interior areas, where the cost of pursuing higher education could place considerable financial pressure on families.
Nevertheless, Wung stressed that any expansion must be supported by careful planning, particularly in ensuring the scheme’s long-term financial sustainability and alignment with Sarawak’s future workforce requirements.
“Free education is important, but what students study and what opportunities are available after graduation are equally important.
“Sarawak needs local talent who can support the industries we are building for the future,” he said.
He identified energy transition, the digital economy, healthcare, technology and professional services as key sectors that would require a growing pool of engineers, doctors, technical specialists and other skilled professionals.
Wung also called for clear, transparent and consistent eligibility criteria should the scheme be expanded, stressing that the policy must remain sustainable for future generations rather than benefiting only the current generation of students.
He said Sarawak’s financial strength provided room for greater investment in education, but such commitments must be carefully managed.
“Roads, bridges and industries are important, but in the long run, it is people who will drive Sarawak forward.
“Investing in education today means building Sarawak’s talent, expertise and competitiveness for the future,” he said. –DayakDaily
