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New Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Free tertiary education in Sarawak modelled on Nordic, German models
MIRI: Sarawak's free tertiary education (SFTE) initiative is modelled after Nordic countries like Norway and Finland, said Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. He said these countres, along with Germany, are known worldwide for their high and robust economic growth. "That is why we model our free tertiary education initiative on the free education systems of these countries," he said at a townhall during the Sarawak Day celebration here. "We want our students to have the latest knowledge for the state's future," he said. He said the goal is to replicate the economic growth seen in those countries. The SFTE initiative will begin next year at five state-owned institutions: Swinburne University of Technology in Kuching, Curtin University of Technology in Miri, University Technology Sarawak in Sibu, I-Cats College University in Kuching and Centre of Technological Excellence Sarawak in Kuching. He said the state has no plans to extend SFTE to Sarawakians at federal universities. The initiative is limited to Sarawakians enrolled at the five state-run universities. "If we want to expand to other universities, they are financed by the federal government. We don't want to interfere with what the federal government is doing," he said. Abang Johari said applications to state-owned institutions are not subject to UPU criteria set by the higher education ministry. He cited many cases where students applying for an engineering course were instead diverted to study an arts subject. He added that students with the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) from Chinese schools will be accepted if they meet entry requirements, and even those from poor families can pursue higher education in state-run institutions.
Borneo Post
19-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Sagah: Ensure Bidayuh youths learn English
Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn — Photo by Chimon Upon PADAWAN (May 19): Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn called on the Bidayuh community to ensure their children and grandchildren know how to speak English. 'I want all of you to know how to speak English because it is the lingua franca of the world—the language of knowledge, the language of science. 'Ensure that all our children and grandchildren learn English. Do not feel embarrassed or hesitant—if others say we are showing off, pay no attention to them because it will give hope to our future generations,' he said when officiating the Padawan sub-district level pre-Gawai dinner at the Kampung Bratan Multipurpose Hall on Sunday night. He also called on youths to take the free tertiary education opportunity to further their higher studies, particularly in fields related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Sagah said this followed the shifting focus to the development of Sarawak's new economy. 'Bidayuh students can pursue undergraduate courses offered by Swinburne University of Technology, Curtin University of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Sarawak, or iCATS University College in science-related fields. 'However, non-science fields such as accounting, finance, law, and psychology are also needed in these emerging industries,' he added. Bidayuh community education English language lead Roland Sagah Wee Inn
Borneo Post
19-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Ensure Bidayuh youths learn English — Minister
Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn — Photo by Chimon Upon PADAWAN (May 19): Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn called on the Bidayuh community to ensure their children and grandchildren know how to speak English. 'I want all of you to know how to speak English because it is the lingua franca of the world—the language of knowledge, the language of science. 'Ensure that all our children and grandchildren learn English. Do not feel embarrassed or hesitant—if others say we are showing off, pay no attention to them because it will give hope to our future generations,' he said when officiating the Padawan sub-district level pre-Gawai dinner at the Kampung Bratan Multipurpose Hall on Sunday night. He also called on youths to take the free tertiary education opportunity to further their higher studies, particularly in fields related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Sagah said this followed the shifting focus to the development of Sarawak's new economy. 'Bidayuh students can pursue undergraduate courses offered by Swinburne University of Technology, Curtin University of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Sarawak, or iCATS University College in science-related fields. 'However, non-science fields such as accounting, finance, law, and psychology are also needed in these emerging industries,' he added. Bidayuh community education English language lead Roland Sagah Wee Inn
New Straits Times
24-04-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Rural Sarawak student shines in SPM with straight As
KUCHING: A student from one of the remotest secondary schools in Sarawak is among the top scorers in last year's Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination. Wilfred Anyie Wellis, who attended SMK Long Bedian in the remote district of Telang Usan, deep in the Baram in the northern interior of Sarawak, scored all 'As' in the eight subjects he sat for, according to the state's Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Seri Roland Sagah. He was the only one of the 43 students who sat for the examination for the first time in the newly built school and one of the 821 in the state who achieved straight 'As'. Sagah said all the 43 students passed their examination to secure a 100 per cent achievement – a pride for a rural school. The school is located in the settlement from which it took its name. The predominant ethnic group in Long Bedian is the Kenyah, specifically the Kenyah Badeng, who are known for their rich cultural heritage, traditional longhouses, and community-oriented lifestyle. It is approximately 250 to 280km from Miri city, depending on the route taken, and the travel time can be 8 to 10 hours or more because the roads from Miri to Long Bedian include stretches of logging roads and gravel tracks, which can be rough and slow-going—especially during the rainy seasons. People in that part of Sarawak only use 4-wheel-drive vehicles to move around. The 821 who scored straight 'As' represent 2.55 per cent of the 35,423 students who registered for the exam, Sagah said in a media conference. That, he said, was better than the 2023 result. Sarawak also had 800 absentees – lower by over 200 compared to the 2023 figure. Sagah said Wilfred would certainly receive state educational assistance if he applies for one to pursue his tertiary education. He qualifies for free tertiary education if he applies to study in any one of the state-owned universities next year. The nearest one to him is Curtin University of Technology in Miri.
