By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, March 14: Sarawak will announce the selected disciplines that fall under its free tertiary education initiative by October this year.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak is the only one in Malaysia that dares to offer free education which will involve quite a number of degree programmes.
“We will announce (the selected disciplines) by October because the first intake of university students will be next year.
“They can choose courses and disciplines that will help us move forward in all industries, especially in sophisticated ones that are based on our new economy,” Abang Johari said in his speech after attending a function at a local hotel here today. The recording was made available to the media after the function.
On March 12, Sarawak Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn informed that the free tertiary education initiative is in its final stages, with funds expected to be disbursed soon.
He also mentioned that applications for the courses will open after November, with no quotas being set, and the first intake of students is expected to begin between February and April 2026.
The first phase will see free education provided to Sarawakians studying at State-owned universities, namely i-CATS University College, Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS), University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), Curtin University Malaysia, and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (SUTS), starting next year. – DayakDaily
