KUCHING: 75 per cent of the overall 4,694 recipients under the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) are pursuing studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as of the first quarter of 2026, in line with Sarawak’s agenda to strengthen the development of highly skilled human capital.

Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said the remaining 25 per cent are pursuing other fields including accounting, finance and psychology.

According to him, the cohort consists of 1,834 new students and 2,860 existing students currently pursuing studies at Sarawak-owned institutions.

“Of the total, 75 per cent are pursuing STEM courses, while the remaining 25 per cent are enrolled in fields such as accounting, finance and psychology,” he said during his ministerial winding-up session at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Monday.

He added that the FTES enrolment breakdown at Sarawak government-owned institutions involved 543 students at Curtin University Malaysia, 172 students at i-CATS University College, 1,959 students at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and 2,020 students at the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS).

He explained that 2,893 students, or 61.63 per cent of the total FTES recipients, also qualified for a living allowance of RM10,000 in addition to accommodation assistance amounting to RM5,000.

Meanwhile, during a press conference, Dato Sri Roland Sagah revealed that 1,344 individuals opted to decline the FTES offer after receiving alternative scholarships or other funding opportunities deemed more suitable for their needs.

“Perhaps those scholarships offer higher amounts or they provide more secure employment bonds in the future.

“So not all students choose to accept the FTES offer,” he said. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photo: Ibanez Jeffery & Muhammad Rais Sanusi
Translator: Uilson Ng