KUCHING: Good news for Sarawakian students who wish to further their studies at Sarawak-owned University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) as they will be able to enjoy special incentives starting next year.
Its vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Khairuddin Abdul Hamid said that this is thanks to the various initiatives announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during the launch of UTS in Sibu on Nov 10 recently.
Speaking to New Sarawak Tribune in an interview on Tuesday (Nov 23), he said all the initiatives will be open to the students starting Feb next year.
Among the initiatives announced by Abang Johari for students to pursue their studies at the university are as follows:
A 50 percent reduction in enrolment fees from RM1,000 to RM500 for all study programmes.
UTS Foundations Scholarship for all students (Sarawakians and students from other states in Malaysia) to cover the whole tuition fees of RM10,000 per student
UTS undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships will be given to Sarawakians at 50 percent of tuition fees.
UTS Bursary Scheme for Sarawakians under the B40 to M40 categories catering for 100 Bumiputera and 100 non-Bumiputera students per year, and 80 percent of the tuition fees will be covered by the university
Additional financial support from Yayasan Sarawak in the form of interest-free study loans will cover the remaining tuition fees plus living costs.
“The introduction of the scholarships and other financial incentives will provide more opportunities to the people of Sarawak at all levels, to further their studies at the university which is fully owned by the Sarawak government,” he said.
He said that after Abang Johari had made the announcement and within a few hours, the response was really overwhelming from the public and indeed has given much relief to parents especially those from the B40 groups.
“With the revised fees, UTS anticipates enrolling up to the maximum capacity of 4,000 students by the year 2024,” he said.
