KUCHING: University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) today celebrated its 30th anniversary as a prestigious building of knowledge in Kota Samarahan.
Reaching the age of 30 years, UNIMAS as a community-driven institution continues to thrive in building community networks by running programmes based on community involvement by implementing service learning.
The development strategy toward a worldwide university is also ongoing, and UNIMAS is always prepared to confront new challenges in the field of higher education.
According to a news released issued by UNIMAS today, the varsity’s orientation in the land of the hornbill has crossed borders and united all corners of the city, the countryside, and even the hinterland of Sarawak so that all communities can benefit from the best university in the Borneo region.
“The historic moment of UNIMAS began on 1 October 1992 when the Minister of Education at that time, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr Sulaiman Haji Daud appointed Professor Datuk Zawawi Ismail as the first Vice Chancellor and UNIMAS was incorporated on 24 December 1992.
“Starting with the establishment of only two pilot faculties at that time, namely the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, currently UNIMAS continues to grow by having 10 faculties that provide diverse study programmes at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
“In fact, this campus has Institutes and Research Centres that contribute to research knowledge and build the UNIMAS brand nationally and internationally,” the press release stated.
Furthermore, the institution made national history by being recognised as one of the world’s 1001 best universities, as well as the first university in Borneo to be ranked in The World University Rankings.
It was stated that the existence of UNIMAS in the country’s higher education sector for the past 30 years has been very proud by watching achievement after achievement in the fields of academics, research, publishing, and community service implementation.
As it turns out, this 30-year journey gave valuable experiences, bitter lessons, and sweet memories that matured all of its members in order to fulfil the vision and mission and achieve the goal of becoming a prestigious higher educational institution.
“Also this year, UNIMAS presented a gift to the local people with the establishment of a teaching hospital with a capacity of 300 beds which is planned to be fully completed in 2023 while the Prima Health Centre is expected to be completed in another four years’ time.
“The development of this teaching hospital not only provides healthcare services but also raises the city of Kota Samarahan as well as UNIMAS as a superior medical hub, as well as a high-performing health education institution and increases the quality of medical graduates.
“It turns out that the 29-year wait for its own teaching hospital paid off, and this magnificent ideal became a reality,” it continued.
It is also stated that the Institute of Sustainability and Renewable Energy (ISURE) became the newest institute at UNIMAS this year, increasing the university’s role to the current needs of the field of sustainable energy, and elevating the field of energy research, particularly green technology, energy efficiency, solar, and hydrogen.
The institution is claimed to always set priority as a public university in improving the social and economic impact of the global community, therefore the word UNIMAS is always on the lips of the local community who have felt the beneficial influence.
“For example, the success of UNIMAS via the efforts of researchers from the Faculty of Engineering in partnership with academics from the University of Malaya has successfully constructed a water ultrafiltration system.
“This success has brought advantages and smiles to the inhabitants of SMK Ulu Balingian who have been troubled by the challenge of obtaining clean water for a long time with the constant supply of clean and maintained water.
“The success of this high-impact project has also earned attention and trust from the Malaysian Ministry of Education to UNIMAS to implement 11 more Water Ultra Filtration system projects in rural schools around the state of Sarawak. Indeed, this belief demonstrates UNIMAS’ ability to carry out projects with a significant impact on the community,” it added.
Indeed, the quality attained by UNIMAS each year is the result of its people’s cooperation, sincerity, and efforts, who always work hand in hand, are efficient and trustworthy in administering the university’s governance, dare to face obstacles, and are always ready to meet future changes.
“May UNIMASku Sayang remain united, majestic, and productive of modern graduates, as well as a public university that is always appreciated at the national and international levels. UNIMASku Sayang, happy 30th anniversary,” said the statement.
