SIBU: The Sarawak Government is helping more rural students get into university by offering a 50% scholarship, making higher education more accessible for Bumiputera and low-income families.

According to Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD), Datuk Dr Annuar Rapa'ee,
Sarawak Government recognises that many rural students still need assistance, prompting the government to take two approaches to support them.

“The government agreed to provide a 50% scholarship, leading to an increase in students from rural areas, particularly Bumiputera and low-income families, rising to 38% from less than 10% previously.

“This shows that there are eligible students for university admission, but they face financial challenges,” he said.

He said this while representing the Minister for MEITD, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, at the launch of the Sarawak Career and Training (SCaT) Fair 2024 at Sibu Indoor Stadium on Saturday.

Datuk Dr Annuar also emphasised that students need to work hard without relying on a quota system since the government will offer free education to all eligible students for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses at all universities in the state.

The Nangka Assemblyman also suggested that admission to these institutions may be based on merit or specified qualifications, without relying on a quota system.

On another matter, Datuk Dr Annuar added that the government is also aware of the obstacles rural students face, especially in terms of school infrastructure.

“Therefore, the government has also initiated a free tuition programme, from Form 3 to Form 5, with an estimated cost of around RM15 million,” he added.

At the same event, 48 students received laptop vouchers worth RM3,000 from the Sarawak government.

These students are the first batch of recipients from the Central Zone to receive vouchers to purchase laptops to support their studies.

SCaT 2024, held for two days until today at the Sibu Indoor Stadium, is joined by over 40 educational institutions and more than 30 companies conducting open interviews.

Also present were Balingian Assemblyman, Abdul Yakub Arbi, Opar Assemblyman, Billy Sujang, Sibu Division Resident, Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the MEITD, Anielia Siam, Chief Executive Officer of TEGAS, Udin Bujang, and Vice Chancellor of University Technology Sarawak (UTS) Prof. Datuk Dr. Khairuddin Hamid. -UKASnews