Kuching: Starting next year, the free higher education initiative offered by the Sarawak government will be extended to students at public higher education institutions (IPTA) as part of the second phase of the programme. Rector of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak branch, Dr. Firdaus Abdullah, announced that Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has agreed in principle to the proposal, specifically benefiting UiTM Sarawak students, to cultivate a skilled workforce.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative’s second phase will extend free education to students from Sarawak at public higher education institutions in the state, with a particular focus on UiTM Sarawak. Dr. Firdaus shared this development with reporters after a courtesy call on the Sarawak Premier. The first phase of the free higher education initiative already includes five institutions: i-CATS University College, Sarawak Centre of Excellence for Technology (CENTEXS), Sarawak University of Technology, Curtin University Malaysia, and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak.

In addition to the expansion of educational opportunities, Dr. Firdaus highlighted a proposal from Abang Johari for a collaboration between UiTM Sarawak and the state government in the agriculture sector. This initiative aims to transform the UiTM Mukah campus into a hub for rice cultivation projects, focusing on the research and development of rice seeds, productivity, and yields.

Dr. Firdaus mentioned that a research team will be established to study and propose ways to assist the Sarawak government in enhancing technology, infrastructure, and productivity in rice cultivation. This initiative also considers carbon storage, as it is intrinsically linked to rice cultivation.