When it comes to education, the government is leading the charge through Yayasan Sarawak, specifically in the year 2022, by sponsoring UniversitI Sarawak Malaysia (UNIMAS) medical students to further their studies.
This was observed earlier on November 1 this year when Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg Abang Johari handed the scrolls to 35 graduates of the Doctor of Medicine programme at the second session of UNIMAS’s 26th Convocation Ceremony.
The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition government has made sure that the ongoing effort will continue for the benefit of education.
Abang Johari stated that this was consistent with Sarawak’s goal of producing essential expertise and personnel as needed by the state.
He explained that Yayasan Sarawak had granted scholarships to Sarawakian students pursuing medical studies in order to reach the state’s goal of producing 200 medical physicians in five years in order to address the state’s demand for specialist doctors in hospitals, including those in rural areas.
“We look at the demand (for medical doctors). If there are too many, it is also tough. Then you have a surplus of doctors.
“So, if you can match supply to demand (and) if there is equilibrium, you may try to discover new courses (to be sponsored),” he added.
Among the 35 students, reporters from Sarawak Tribune were able to interview a few of them during the convocation and asked them about their aspirations and the benefits of being Yayasan recipients.
Eugenius Then Ji Xuan, 24, who graduated and was named one of the Sarawak Foundation Excellent Student awardees, stated that the foundation paid for his whole medical school tuition, including allowances and accommodation, allowing him to concentrate on his medical studies during his five-years at UNIMAS.
“All medical graduates must first finish their housemanship, which I shall accomplish here at Sarawak General Hospital, as part of their future plans (SGH). Following that, I intend to further my studies in the field of surgery.
“Because this is a competitive field, we must prepare our CVs during our housemanship and MO term.
“Surgery in Malaysia is offered by public universities such as University Malaya so we must enrol through those universities, just as we did for our undergraduates.”
Meanwhile, Stanley Jaret Hilton Henry thanked the Sarawak government for providing the Sarawak Foundation scholarship awardees with the opportunity to continue their studies at UNIMAS.
He went on to say that the foundation funded his studies for the entire five years, with an annual allowance of RM10,000, which included complete payment of his tuition.
“Hence in the next years, I will try my best to contribute back to Sarawak, specifically through my competence in the field of medicine.
“In the future, I would like to become a doctor while accumulating knowledge and experience and wish to be a specialist while completing my studies in UNIMAS again.
Meanwhile, Gabriela Naina Keneth added that with the scholarship, everything was borne by the government and the foundation.
She hoped it would continue in the future for juniors to benefit from as it covered the cost of accommodation and a once-a-year airline ticket.
“I have always wanted to work in my own state and this provided me with the chance to serve Sarawak.”
Another recipient, Anis Nasuha Morshidi was grateful the scholarship allowed her to study medicine for five years.
“All my study materials and living expenses in UNIMAS were taken care of, thanks to the Sarawak Foundation.
“In the future, I hope to become a specialist so that I can give back to Sarawak,” she said.
Andrea Rachael Shara Jomet thanked the Sarawak government for the scholarship, adding she hoped to serve in the rural areas after finishing her studies.
“If given the opportunity, I would like to pursue a master’s degree in the future, particularly in the subject of paediatrics.”
Ainur Yasmin Hamdan said for five years as a medical student, she did not have to worry about the cost of studies, flights, accommodation and tuition fees.
“My goal for the future is to give back to the community, specifically the people of Sarawak.
“I urge future freshmen who are awarded the scholarship to study diligently and contribute back to Sarawak.”
