Master aero-technology to meet needs of state
KUCHING: The Sarawak government wants more Sarawakian students to master aero-technology, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He revealed that the government would upgrade the facilities at International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak (i-CATS) University College which would focus on the development of technological knowledge, research, engineering and aero technology.
“I believe with that; the university can produce graduates who are skilled in aero technology and further strengthen Sarawak’s digital economy.
“I want to include aero technology as I think the future also depends on the development of new communication techniques, including those in aero discipline that must be learned by ‘anak-anak Sarawak’ (children of Sarawak),” he said during the Sarawak Skills/i-CATS 23rd convocation and the official launch of i-CATS University College on Monday (March 8).
Abang Johari assured he would do his best to contribute to the development of i-CATS University College and hoped that in five years’ time, the university would have a much better campus like the other universities in the state.
“The upgrading of the university’s facilities is also in line with i-CATS, which has just been recognised as a University College.
“I am proud that i-CATS has been recognised as a University College, and it is hoped that more degree, master’s and PhD programmes that meet the needs of the state will be implemented and offered,” he said.
The chief minister pointed out that Sarawak was quite advanced in terms of developing its own human resources although education was the responsibility of the federal government.
“Sarawak has Sarawak Skills, i-CATS, and Centre of Technical Excellence (Centexs) besides other skills centres that are under federal responsibility such as polytechnics, Industrial Training Institutes (ILPs), vocational colleges, community colleges, Mara Skills Institutes (IKM), and others.
“At a higher level, the state has two universities, namely Swinburne University of Technology and Curtin University. And recently, the state government through the Sarawak Foundation (Yayasan Sarawak) took over University College of Technology (UCTS) in Sibu,” he said.
Abang Johari added the state also had plans to build five international schools based on the Cambridge syllabus; two would be in Kuching and one each in Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.
“The construction of one of the two schools in Kuching is being carried out and it is expected to be operational in 2023 with the recruitment of excellent students from various backgrounds into Form One.
“This school, which is funded by the Sarawak government, is not reserved for the well-to-do but is open to all races and groups. Through this initiative, graduates then will be sent to further their studies at renowned universities such as Cambridge University, London School of Economics, and Stanford University,” he said.
As such, Abang Johari believes that Sarawak will able to develop human resources that are capable of competing globally.
