KOTA SAMARAHAN: The Sarawak Governor, Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi graced the 2025 Aidilfitri Perdana event organised by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak Branch on Wednesday night.

Rector of UiTM Sarawak Branch, Professor Dr. Firdaus Abdullah, in his speech on behalf of all the university staff, expressed his immense gratitude to Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Wan Junaidi and his wife who attended the event.

According to him, this is a delightful moment for all the UiTM Sarawak Branch staff, thus proving Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Wan Junaidi’s caring and noble spirit for the people of the state regardless of degree and rank.

"In an effort to strengthen its role as an inclusive and caring educational institution, UiTM Sarawak Branch continues to move forward with various welfare initiatives and holistic education, thus gaining recognition at the state and national levels," he said.

Also present at the ceremony were the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, UiTM Pro-Chancellor, Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz and other guests of honour.

The ceremony also witnessed the symbolic presentation of Early Schooling Assistance (BAP) to 20 students from the B40 category, which was contributed by Bank Rakyat Foundation (YBR).

Prof. Dr. Firdaus Abdullah also emphasised the role of the institution not only in imparting knowledge, but also in supporting students, especially from the B40 group.

He said the assistance was aimed at easing the financial burden of students ahead of the new semester.

“We are aware that many of our students come from underprivileged families.

"Therefore, UiTMCS has taken proactive steps through various initiatives such as the Food Bank and Student Affairs Kitchen to ensure that no student is left behind in terms of basic needs,” he said.

In addition to welfare assistance, UiTMCS has also put forward a holistic education approach through the Plus Tahfiz Programme, which provides opportunities for tahfiz graduates to continue their studies in professional fields.

A total of 29 students are currently participating in this programme, with 9 of them having memorised the 30 juzuk al-Quran in full.

"Our goal is clear, which is to produce graduates who are not only academically excellent, but also have the character of a true believer, as demanded in the al-Quran," he added.

In his speech, Prof. Dr. Firdaus also shared several key successes of UiTM Sarawak Branch, including the 2024 AKPANS Bronze Award (Sarawak Civil Service Quality Award), the 2023/2024 PSEA Merit Award (Premier of Sarawak Environmental Award), the National Academic Professionalism Award in conjunction with AKPU 2023 and the Excellent Academic Management & Co-Curricular Award for the UiTM branch category.

He highlighted that these successes are the result of the cooperation of all UiTM Sarawak Branch staff who are always striving to improve the quality of education and services. -UKASnews