Enrolment In Strategic FTES Courses Surges 128.5 Per Cent, 6,246 Students Receive Offers
KUCHING: Student enrolment in courses under the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) surged by 128.5 per cent to 3,491 in 2026, compared with 1,528 in 2025, before the scheme was introduced.
Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said the increase reflected growth in enrolment across the courses offered, which covered strategic fields aligned with Sarawak’s future economic priorities.
“The courses offered cover various strategic fields that align with Sarawak’s future economic priorities, such as the hydrogen economy, precision agriculture, data centre development and the aerospace industry,” he said.
He was delivering his ministry’s winding-up speech at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly Sitting here on Monday.
As of September 30, 2026, a total of 6,246 students had received FTES offers from Sarawak-owned higher education institutions (SIHL).
Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus recorded the highest number, with 2,802 students, followed by the University of Technology Sarawak with 2,031, Curtin University Malaysia with 949, and i-CATS University College with 464.
To ease the financial burden on students from low-income households, the scheme also provides an annual allowance of RM15,000 to eligible recipients to cover living and accommodation expenses.
To date, 3,195 students who received FTES offers have qualified for the allowance.
He also expressed his appreciation to Sarawak Legislative Assembly members for their continued efforts to engage with communities and promote FTES, particularly in rural areas. -UKASnews
