KUCHING: A total of 192 students holding the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) have been offered the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) as of June 30, 2026.
Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak Datuk Dr Annuar Rapa’ee noted that out of this total, 137 students are pursuing their studies at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, 21 at Curtin University Malaysia Miri, 33 at University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) Sibu, and one at i-CATS University College.
“This demonstrates that no eligible Sarawakian should be denied educational opportunities,” he said in response to a question from Batu Lintang Assemblyman See Chee How during the Second Sitting of the Fifth Term of the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
According to him, the FTES is also open to UEC holders who meet the qualifying criteria to ensure that Sarawakians receive equal opportunities to pursue higher education regardless of race or educational background.
He noted that UEC holders are required to obtain at least five grade Bs in the upper secondary UEC examination and meet the admission requirements for the courses offered.
He explained that a pass in Bahasa Melayu is not a prerequisite for UEC holders to enter the four universities or receive the FTES, while students applying for courses under the scheme's list of 64 programmes are eligible to receive automatic funding if they meet the stipulated conditions.
In the meantime, he said UEC students receiving the FTES also have the opportunity to undergo industrial training and placements like other students should they secure such placements. — UKASnews
Prepared by: Nur Nabilla
Photos: Hazrin Sunaini
Translator: Ryan Lim
