SARIKEI: The Sarawak Government continues to strengthen its human capital development agenda through various aid and educational initiatives to ensure that more state residents have the opportunity to continue their studies to the tertiary level.

Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the state government's commitment under the leadership of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg reflects that education remains a priority in the development of Sarawak.

According to him, various educational aids are also provided at the regional level to help students who successfully continue their studies, regardless of academic achievement.

He said students who enrol in skills courses at institutions such as the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) and private skills institutes are eligible to receive RM300 in aid, while students in Form Six and university foundation programmes also receive the same amount.

"Diploma students receive RM400 in aid, while bachelor's degree students are given RM500 to help ease their expenses.

"The important thing is their determination to continue their studies and build a better future," he said when speaking at the ‘Pengerami Ngiling Bidai’ programme in Sare, on Sunday.

The Kuala Rajang Assemblyman said that the state government has also introduced Special Financial Assistance (BKK) amounting to RM1,200 per year to Sarawakian students studying in public and private institutions of higher learning that are recognised throughout the nation.

Datuk Len said that the aid was provided without taking into account the background of the family's income as an effort to reduce the burden of students' living costs.

He also shared that the state government through Yayasan Sarawak owns a number of higher education institutions including Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS), Swinburne University Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, i-CATS University College and Laila Taib College.

He said that starting in 2026, Sarawak students who continue their studies at state-owned institutions will enjoy benefits through the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), wherein tuition fees will be borne by the state government.

He added that the implementation of the various initiatives reflects the government's resolution to ensure that no Sarawakian child is left out of the opportunity to obtain higher education and to produce high quality human capital for the development of the state. -UKASnews