By Karen Bong
MUKAH, Aug 13: University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) Laila Taib Mukah campus, outfitted with state-of-the-art facilities including an advanced engine system simulator, is poised to become a hub for marine education and training with its Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Marine programme scheduled to kick off in February 2025.
However, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, has urged the university to broaden the programme’s scope to include port management, underwater modules, as well as unmanned equipment and vehicles as part of the curriculum.
“The programmes offered by tertiary institutions must be multidisciplinary to produce talents and professionals in critical areas for Sarawak’s development.
“We aim to transform the UTS Mukah Campus into an advanced institution for marine studies,” he stated in a recorded press conference after visiting the campus today.
Abang Johari emphasised the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to safeguarding assets and advancing the marine sector, noting Sarawak’s strategic position as an island with jurisdiction over its waters, seabed, and ports.
“This is an emerging area for the shipping industry, as technologies are rapidly evolving. For instance, in the oil and gas sector, robotics and remote sensing are now used for underwater maintenance. With a command centre, the situation underwater can be monitored in real-time,” he explained.
He also underscored the critical role of this knowledge in carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) projects, which Sarawak is actively pursuing.
“This requires a new approach to maintenance, utilising advanced technology,” he added.
Abang Johari further revealed plans to collaborate with Sarawak-based Semiconductor Manufacturing Division (SMD) to develop compound chips in high demand for remote sensing technology.
“We will discuss to offer advanced training and programmes for in-depth studies on underwater data. For example, exploring oil and gas fields necessitates knowledge of underwater geology, and such geological data can be obtained through unmanned equipment or vehicles,” he noted.
Considering Sarawak’s ambitions in the marine industry, he also proposed that UTS Laila Taib Mukah Campus collaborate with a university in Türkiye, renowned for its marine simulator technology, to develop a twinning programme that allows students to pursue postgraduate studies abroad.
Located on a 10-acre site, the UTS Laila Taib Mukah Campus is dedicated to providing higher education in marine industry-related courses to meet the growing demand in Sarawak.
Managed under Yayasan Sarawak, the campus not only creates opportunities for local students to pursue higher education studies closer to home but also supports Sarawak’s socio-economic growth by fostering a skilled and educated workforce.
In addition to the degree programme, which is accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), and the Ministry of Higher Education, the campus offers training and retraining programmes in collaboration with Pelita Mas Laut for ship engineers and officers across various maritime ranks.
One of the flagship programmes is a six-month Professional ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) Pilot training course, funded by Yayasan Peneraju and in collaboration with SS Rover Sdn Bhd. This program aims to produce highly skilled ROV pilots ready to meet industry demands and excel in this specialised field.
Malaysian Deputy Economy Minister and Mukah MP Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib, Minister of Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and Tellian assemblyman Royston Valentine were among those present. — DayakDaily
