KUCHING: Plans are underway for the creation of a State Higher Education Institution (IPTN) to take advantage of state-owned universities and colleges.

Sarawak Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapa’ee, stated that the establishment of IPTN is still in the discussion stage by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT).

"In states like Melaka and Selangor, there are state-owned higher education institutions. In Sarawak, we have five of these institutions.

"The establishment of IPTN could allow the Federal Government to direct financial support to universities managed by the Sarawak Government,” he explained further.

He made these remarks when approached by the media after the launch of the First International Conference on Co-Curriculum and Learning Experience (ICCLE) 2024 here on Thursday.

Datuk Dr Annuar added, five state government-owned institutions of higher learning include Curtin University, Swinburne University, Sarawak University of Technology (UTS), i-CATS University College, and the Sarawak Centre of Technological Excellence (CENTEXS).

"Despite being owned by the Sarawak government, those universities are still considered private and do not receive any funding or grants from the Federal Government,” he said.

Also present were UNIMAS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Professor Ir Ts Dr Al-Khalid Othman and other distinguished guests. -UKASnews