KUCHING: Chairman of Sarawak Skills Development Centre (PPKS) and i-CATS, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr Abdul Aziz Hussain has invited Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to officially launch i-CATS University College (UC) in March during his courtesy call on Monday (Jan 18).
The International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak (i-CATS) is now recognised as a University College (UC) after receiving approval from the Ministry of High Education (MOHE) Malaysia.
“i-CATS has been elevated as a university college after receiving approval from MOHE Malaysia in early December last year.
“It will be a joyous double celebration because the Sarawak Skills/i-CATS 23rd convocation will also take place. We have also invited the Chief Minister to become our chancellor,” said Abdul Aziz.
Abdul Aziz also said that there will be more courses introduced to meet the needs of the industries and aspirations of the state government.
“There will be more homegrown courses for diploma, Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree and eventually Doctor of Philosophy (PHD). With this elevation, i-CATS UC will place more emphasis on research work, particularly applied research in renewable energy, environment and the fourth revolution industry.
“Besides that, i-CATS UC shall work closely with the government and industries in areas which have been identified and able to leapfrog Sarawak to become a developed state in Malaysia by the year 2030,” he said.
He added that support from the Chief Minister, state government and Sarawak Skills Group of Institutions has contributed to the positive transformation of Sarawak’s vibrant landscape especially in human capital development.
He pointed out that i-CATS UC will benefit from the Chief Minister’s broad spectrum of visionary insights and vast experience as the architect of Sarawak’s transformation.
“This will go a long way to facilitate the development of industry-relevant courses and programmes to transform Sarawak’s economic and digital landscape,” he said.
Among those present were secretary, Sarawak Skills Management Council and Pro-Chancellor II of i-CATS UC, Datuk Maznah Dasmi, executive director, Sarawak Skills and Pro-Chancellor III of i-CATS UC, Hallman Sabri, treasurer, Sarawak Skills management council and member of i-CATS UC Board of Governors, Hilmy Othman and vice chancellor of i-CATS UC, Mohamad Isham Fauzi.
