KUCHING: The Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) is set to be implemented beginning with the first intake around February or March 2026, involving approximately 4,693 first-year students across 64 newly identified academic programmes.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said all programmes offered under the FTES are disciplines that are critically needed to support Sarawak’s new economic needs.

“When the session begins, whether in February or March, about 4,000 students will commence their first year of studies in 64 identified programmes, all of which are new and vital for the new economy,” he said.

He said this when met by reporters after officiating the FTES Launching Ceremony, here on Thursday.

Commenting on the expansion of programmes in the future, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari said the current list could be broadened through the addition of new sub-disciplines.

“The expansion depends on decisions by the Ministry of Higher Education and the respective universities, provided that we are able to produce a workforce that meets the needs of Sarawak’s new economy,” he added.

Touching on the potential inclusion of the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) under FTES in the future, he said the matter would be subject to recognition by the Ministry of Higher Education. -UKASnews

Reporter: Nur Nabilla
Photographer: Ameerul Syafiq Khir
Translator: Nerissa Sia