KUCHING: Every student pursuing diploma and degree courses at International College of Advanced Technology (i-CATS) will be given study loan by the state government.
In announcing this yesterday, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the loans would be disbursed through Yayasan Sarawak.
The move, he said was to enable the state to speed up efforts to produce quality human capital for its economic development.
He was speaking at the 21st Convocation of Sarawak Skills Development Centre (PPKS) and i-CATS at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
“This means that Yayasan Sarawak will give study loan to every student enrolling to pursue either their diploma or degree for any course in i-CATS,” said Johari who is also Yayasan Sarawak chairman.
“Students, upon being accepted by i-CATS, would no longer need to apply for loans elsewhere to finance their study.
“In other words, you don’t have to be subjected to the difficulty of finding sponsorship. The moment you are admitted into i-CATS, the state government through Yayasan Sarawak will give you a loan immediately,” he said.
Meanwhile, Johari said smart technology could boost the agriculture sector in the state.
Hence he urged educational institutions in the state to offer Diploma in Smart Agriculture Technology programme to help the state move towards the development of the digital economy.
He also noted that modern farmers should be using the latest technology to increase output and as such it was important that the field of smart agriculture technology be introduced now.
“I’m sure in the near future we will be able to increase our agricultural output when the latest smart technology is applied. This will not only help to ensure the agriculture sector is sustainable but also boost export,” he added.
A total of 1,107 graduates from both PPKS and i-CATS received their scrolls during the ceremony.
