By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 13: Sarawakian students do not have to look far to further their studies as the Sarawak government is committed to bringing University Technology Sarawak (UTS) right to their doorsteps with three incentives – UTS Foundation Scholarship, UTS Bursary Scheme and UTS Undergraduate and Postgraduate Scholarship.
With the aim to make education affordable and accessible to Sarawakians, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg pointed out that these initiatives will cost the State government up to RM27 million annually.
“UTS Foundation Scholarships will provide RM10,000 for all students to pay their tuition fees.
“In addition, the UTS Bursary Scheme for Sarawakians from the B40 (lower income) and M40 (middle income) categories will pay for about 80 per cent of the study fees for 100 bumiputera and 100 non-bumiputera students.
“The UTS Undergraduate and Postgraduate Scholarship, also funded by the State government, will provide a special scholarship scheme for Sarawakian students by footing 50 per cent of the study fees for all undergraduate and postgraduate programmes,” he said.
Abang Johari highlighted this when launching the World Foochow Shi Yi Park and proposed extension of SJKC Dung Sang project at a hotel in Sibu today.
In conjunction with UTS’ launch on Nov 10, he added that the Dr Wong Soon Kai Chair in Medical Device Technology was also set up with a RM2 million grant from the State government to encourage research and development in medical technology.
The Sarawak government, he emphasised, has always been supportive of Chinese education notably with the recognition of Unified Examination Certification (UEC) and financial assistance of RM10 million annually, much like the support given to mission schools.
“UEC is recognised since the time of the late Pehin Sri Adenan (Satem). UEC holders can apply for jobs in the State Civil Service.
“You don’t find this happening in other parts of the world, not even in Peninsular Malaysia. The Federal government has not recognised UEC, not even when the PH (Pakatan Harapan) government said it wanted to do so.
“It is a loss for us in our human resource capital if we do not recognise UEC. The UEC holders will end up working in and contributing to other countries,” he said.
Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technology Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, Deputy State Secretary Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sibu Resident Wong Hie Sieng, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting, Sibu Foochow Association chairman Ying Tian Cai and SJKC Dung Sang board of management director Ling Sieng Ing were among those present. — DayakDaily
