(Miri, 23rd) Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism Datuk Ting Chew Yew attended the 2024 Sarawak Malaysia Hostel (AMal) Year-End Banquet and Student Excellence Award Ceremony at College Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang last night, stating that education is a key foundation for shaping future leaders and driving societal development.
He pointed out that the event not only recognized students who excelled in academics and extracurricular activities but also motivated other students to strive for excellence and achieve greater accomplishments.
"Through recognition and encouragement, we hope students continue to improve themselves, pursuing excellence in both learning and life, bringing honor to the school and society."
Ting emphasized that education is not just about the growth of knowledge but also about cultivating social harmony, mutual respect, and an appreciation for diversity. These values align with the goals of the Malaysia Education Development Plan, which aims to promote inclusive education and understanding.
He specifically mentioned several initiatives launched by the Sarawak government in recent years to benefit students, including the Sarawak Graduate Return Home Plan (i-GPS), offering Sarawak students studying in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Labuan a ticket subsidy of RM300 per trip, twice a year. Also, a 30% discount on PTPTN loan repayments, benefiting 31,706 borrowers with a total amount of RM116.57 million since 2021.
Additionally, he noted that the Sarawak Premier recently announced a student living allowance, providing RM1,200 living allowance to Sarawak students studying in higher education institutions nationwide, regardless of family income.
On supporting school infrastructure development, Ting revealed that over the past few years, he has allocated a total of RM655,000 to College Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang through the Rural Transformation Project (RTP), including RM255,000 in 2021 for classroom tiling, RM100,000 in 2023 for dormitory facility improvements, and RM300,000 in 2024 for constructing an open activity pavilion.
He specifically mentioned that the college has produced several outstanding alumni, including former Sarawak Education Department Director Dr. Adi Dato, Hajah Sarina, Dato Mohamad Sabir, and Dato Purdi Mazan among others.
Moreover, he praised the uniqueness of the Sarawak Malaysia Hostel Program, which fosters understanding and inclusivity among different ethnic groups through multicultural activities such as traditional dance competitions and ethnic costume exhibitions.
"These activities showcase the charm of Sarawak's multiculturalism and enrich cultural exchanges by including Sabah students."
Ting encouraged students to strive relentlessly for higher achievements, hoping that with the guidance of their teachers and accumulation of knowledge, they will grow into pillars of society in the future.
