KUCHING: The University of Cambridge has proposed the introduction of a monitoring system for promising students beginning in Form 3, as part of efforts to strengthen its academic collaboration with the Sarawak Government.

The suggestion aligns with Sarawak’s request for 10 dedicated places for its students at the university.

According to the Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, a Cambridge delegation that visited the state last week recommended that early identification be carried out through the Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School (YSISS).

“They have proposed that YSISS begins monitoring its top-performing students from Form 3 onwards.

“By the time these students complete Form 6 and their A-Levels, they will already be prepared to enter the University of Cambridge directly, as their progress would have been closely followed from the start,” he said.

He shared this during his speech at the 30th Anniversary Dinner of the Sarawak Development Institute (SDI), held at a leading hotel here on Friday.

The Premier added that ongoing educational partnerships with international institutions, including the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), together with the rollout of the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) at local universities, are expected to help develop a skilled workforce and produce high-quality human capital.

He noted that the success of Sarawak’s transformation depends not only on the quality of its workforce but also on the ability of its people to excel in highly skilled fields.

In line with this, Sarawak has introduced the Dual Language Programme Assessment Test (UP-DLP) in collaboration with the University of Cambridge to evaluate students’ proficiency levels, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

“The results of the first test for Year 6 pupils showed that English was satisfactory, but Science fell below the expected level. In other words, STEM performance remains low.

“If this situation continues, we will face difficulties in sending our students into STEM-related fields, so the Sarawak Government must step in,” he emphasised.

The event was also attended by the Sarawak Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Financial Secretary, Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Deputy Minister for Transport, Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Administration), Datu Buckland Bangik, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Operation), Datu Hii Chang Kee, Chairman of the Sarawak Development Institute (SDI), Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, as well as other distinguished guests.-UKASnews

Reporter : Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photographer : Mohd Shahril
Translator : Uilson Ng