SIBU: The state government will fund several scholarships and bursary schemes for University Technology Sarawak (UTS) students, including the UTS Bursary Scheme which covers 80 percent of tuition fees for Sarawakian students in the B40 and M40 categories.
“This scheme will accommodate 100 Bumiputera students and 100 non-Bumiputera students a year,” said caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the official launch of University Technology Sarawak (UTS) here on Wednesday (Nov 10).
“Based on the five-year projection, this is a contribution or commitment by the state government of RM3 million a year,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the UTS Foundation Scholarship would be for all students undertaking foundation studies at UTS.
“This scholarship will cover tuition fees of RM10,000 per student,” he said.
He added that this amounted to RM4.5 million to RM7 million a year over a period of five years, which would be fully borne by the state government.
As for the UTS Undergraduate and Postgraduate Scholarships, he said this special scholarship scheme for Sarawakians would involve the state government bearing 50 percent of tuition fees for all undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
“Based on the five-year projection, this is a contribution or commitment of the state government of RM17.2 million to RM27 million a year,” he said.
Aside from this, Abang Johari said the state government would provide other financial assistance via Yayasan Sarawak, in the form of interest-free study loans to cover study and living costs while pursuing studies at UTS.
“These scholarships and other financial incentives will provide more opportunities for Sarawakians at all levels to further their studies at UTS, which is wholly owned by the Sarawak government.
“This initiative will also provide greater access to affordable higher education for all students who are in rural areas, especially students in the B40 category,” he said.
He said with the reshuffle in terms of fees, UTS was expected to have up to a maximum capacity of 4,000 students by 2024.
He added that while the above initiatives were indeed costly, they were worthwhile investments as the state government emphasised talent development and innovation.
He noted that the cost of education had increased significantly throughout the years, but family income had not increased in tandem.
“I know that many parents and graduates are worried about paying off their study loans. I am very committed in ensuring that all Sarawakians have access to higher education to pursue their dreams and that they are given the opportunity to make the most of their lives,” he said.
Hence, Abang Johari said the provision of affordable higher education was one of the key strategies being undertaken by the state government.
He also said that when he first became chief minister, he found that the gap in physical quality and achievement between urban and rural schools was huge.
“Part of this problem stemmed from poverty. There are many types of poverty and the main cause is a lack of education among the people.
“The only way to eradicate poverty is to empower the children of the underprivileged through education so they can change the fate of their families and no longer be trapped in the poverty gap,” he stressed.
He said the state government had addressed this issue by implementing initiatives to enhance the competencies of teachers and school leaders in the state, rebuilding or upgrading dilapidated schools, and improving access to treated water supply and 24-hour electricity supply to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment.
He also expressed sympathy to the youth of today including new graduates who were starting their careers during this challenging Covid-19 pandemic.
“I would like to remind everyone that we must move forward in life and as a nation by prioritising education,” Abang Johari said.
