KUCHING: The new Vice-Chancellor of i-CATS University College, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Ts Mohamad Kadim Suaidi, is committed to elevating the university to greater heights, including achieving its goal of becoming a full-fledged university by 2026.

Additionally, i-CATS, he said, will continue to play an important role in producing highly skilled graduates relevant to future technological needs, in line with its function as a technical university.

He outlined his commitment to revolutionising i-CATS with a clear and strategic vision, implementing steps to strengthen the institution’s role as a leader in higher education in Sarawak.

“We plan to introduce new academic programmes aligned with advanced technologies such as hydrogen, bio-thermal, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence.

“This move will help Sarawak achieve its development vision as outlined in PCDS 2030,” he said.

He said this during his first press conference after officially taking up the role of Vice-Chancellor of i-CATS University College on Thursday.

During the same press conference, he also addressed the major challenges faced by all higher education institutions in Sarawak ahead of the implementation of free higher education in 2026.

As a wholly Sarawak government-owned higher education institution, i-CATS will be prepared in terms of infrastructure, teaching staff, and academic programmes to support this initiative.

Moreover, the institution has set a target to increase the student population to 3,000 within two years.

“The current student population is less than 2,000. With the cooperation of all parties, we are confident of achieving this target,” he said optimistically. -UKASnews