Latest news with #InnovationandTalentDevelopment
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sarawak sets guidelines for off-campus student housing, university approval required
KUALA LUMPUR: A committee has been established to oversee the development of guidelines for off-campus student housing at the four state-owned universities in Sarawak. State Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said the move is aimed at safeguarding the safety and well-being of students residing outside campus grounds. "As you know, starting next year, the Sarawak government will offer free higher education to all Sarawakians, along with stipends for those who qualify. "A portion of these stipends will help students with the cost of renting off-campus housing." He said the guidelines would specify where students are allowed to rent accommodation, particularly in terms of proximity to campus, among other considerations. It would also require landlords to register with the student accommodation units of the four universities. In addition, personnel from the universities, along with health officers and local authorities, will inspect the premises to determine their suitability for student housing, he said. Dr Annuar said the accommodation must be conducive, safe and clean before approval can be given by the respective university's student accommodation unit. "In other words, students are permitted to live off-campus, but they cannot rent accommodation freely as they wish. "The property owner may rent to students, but not directly. "They must coordinate with the university and obtain approval to determine whether the property is suitable for student rental," the Nangka assemblyman said. He extended his condolences to the family of the late Maniisha, who was found dead in her dormitory room at the Mutiara Ville condominium in Cyberjaya on Tuesday morning. In response to the incident, he called on all higher education institutions in Sarawak to establish a clear process for managing off-campus student housing. Students should be required to register these accommodations with their institutions so that their living arrangements are known, he said. "Are they residing in an area that lacks safety? Or perhaps in a location that is quite distant? "Or are they in an unsuitable place, like commercial shoplots? Additionally, are they living in an overcrowded dormitory?" He said all these factors need to be considered, as local council regulations prohibit the rental of certain shoplots for residential purposes. "These should not be used as living spaces. "There are also guidelines stating that if rented for residential use, the space must not be overcrowded. "Institutions should be aware of these regulations and must maintain records of where students reside off-campus. "This is to prevent any untoward incidents," he said, adding that students might choose overcrowded places due to lower rental costs.
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Borneo Post
No agent, third party appointed to offer Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme, ministry clarifies
MEITD says that it takes seriously the information that certain parties are promising free education opportunities in exchange for payments or other forms of compensation from the public. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (June 26): The Sarawak Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) has never appointed any individual, agent or third party to offer the state's Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES). It said that it takes seriously the information that certain parties are promising free education opportunities in exchange for payments or other forms of compensation from the public. It clarified that such actions are illegal and can be considered fraud attempts. 'The MEITC will not hesitate to take legal action against any individual or party found to have deceived or misused the name of MEITD of the Sarawak government for personal gain. 'As such, the public is urged not to be easily deceived by such offers and to always be cautious of individuals or parties claiming to represent the government in matters related to free education,' it said in a statement today. It added that any FTES-related official statements would only be issued by the MEITD through the official communication channels of the Sarawak Government. – Bernama education free FTES MTEID sarawak
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak to prioritise critical, technical courses under FTES for now, says Sagah
Sagah (third left), Mohamad Kadim (second left) and others carry out the 'Ngiling Bidai' ritual marking the end of Gawai. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 26): The Sarawak government will prioritise critical and technical courses under its Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) to meet the growing demands of industries in the state, said State Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. While acknowledging the importance of other academic fields, Sagah said the initial focus must be on areas crucial to the state's economic development. 'I cannot make the decision myself, but what I can say is that next year's FTES will only cover critical courses. 'This is because we are seriously considering the urgent needs of Sarawak's industries,' he said. He was responding to a proposal by i-CATS University College Vice-Chancellor, Professor Emeritus Datuk Ts Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi, during the institution's Gawai Celebration today, who had earlier called for the scheme to be expanded to include more disciplines. Sagah said the state government hopes to see tangible results from the initial phase of the scheme, particularly in workforce development and income growth for Sarawak. 'If successful, the scheme may be expanded. Hopefully, as more students enter the workforce and help boost the state's income, we can eventually look at including more courses beyond just the critical ones,' he added. Earlier in his speech, Mohamad Kadim proposed that FTES be extended to non-technical fields such as economics, business, hospitality, and tourism, arguing that these sectors also play a vital role in Sarawak's development. He highlighted the hospitality industry's ongoing reliance on workers from outside Sarawak, stressing the need to develop more local talent for the sector. He said by strengthening education in hospitality and tourism, there would be more opportunities for Sarawakians to fill the growing vacancies The FTES, set to be implemented in 2026, will initially cover undergraduate programmes in STEM fields, law, medicine, accounting, finance, and psychology. Participating institutions include Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), and i-CATS University College. courses Free Tertiary Education Scheme FTES Roland Sagah technical
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Sarawak warns against fake agents offering free education scheme
KUCHING: The Sarawak Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) has issued a stern warning against individuals or groups falsely claiming to represent its Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES). The ministry confirmed it has never appointed any agents or third parties to facilitate applications for the programme. Recent reports of parties soliciting payments or compensation in exchange for education opportunities under FTES have prompted the ministry to act. MEITD emphasised that such offers are fraudulent and illegal. 'The ministry will not hesitate to take legal action against those misusing MEITD or the Sarawak government's name for personal gain,' it stated today. The public is advised to verify official announcements only through Sarawak government channels. 'Always be cautious of unauthorised claims regarding free education,' the ministry added. Genuine updates on FTES will be released exclusively via official government platforms.
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak, Australia's Northern Territory launch education collaboration
(From left) Anielia, Sagah, Cahill and Chan reading the Northern Territory International Student Handbook. – Photo by Aileen Yap KUCHING (June 25): Sarawak and Australia's Northern Territory have taken a strategic step toward deepening collaboration in education and talent development, following the launch of the Australia's Northern Territory Education Forum here today. The forum was officiated by State Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, who emphasised the significance of cross-regional cooperation to support future-ready workforce development. Sagah highlighted the initiative as timely and necessary, especially given Sarawak's rapid growth in sectors such as energy, construction, digital economy, and manufacturing. He noted that the Sarawak government has set an ambitious target of 500,000 skilled workers by 2030, requiring the state to produce at least 30,000 new skilled individuals annually. 'Education and talent development are critical to this effort,' he emphasised. The forum marked the Northern Territory Government's inaugural visit to Malaysia, represented by Minister for International Education, Migration and Population, Robyn Cahill OAM, who also serves as Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations. 'Sarawak is our very first stop and we see enormous opportunity here, especially in vocational training where both our regions face similar challenges in attracting youth,' said Cahill. She stressed that shared geography, multicultural communities, and mutual development goals make Sarawak and the Northern Territory natural partners in advancing education, student mobility, and institutional partnerships. Cahill also acknowledged the untapped potential for Sarawak to become a major source of international students for the Northern Territory. 'We currently have over 5,500 international students in the Northern Territory, but Sarawak has yet to be among the top source countries – a gap we aim to change through structured pathways and institutional partnerships,' she said. In addition to tertiary pathways, both ministers highlighted joint potential in teacher training, capacity-building, and joint research initiatives especially in indigenous education and regional inclusion. Cahill expressed hopes for improved direct air links between Sarawak and Darwin (Northern Territory's capital city), to support future student and business exchanges. 'We are laying the foundation not just for the next few years, but for the next 50, 100, or 200 years,' she said. 'We want to grow together – for the benefit of our young people, our communities, and our shared region.' Among the attendees were Sarawak Australia Business Chamber president Rodger Chan and State Ministry for Education, Innovation and Talent Development deputy permanent secretary, Anielia Siam. Australia's Northern Territory collaboration education Roland Sagah
