(Kuching, 5th) Sarawak Deputy Premier and Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development, Datuk Amar Douglas, has called on the Universiti Malaya Dayak Alumni Association (Persatuan Alumni Dayak Universiti Malaya, PADUM) and Dayak NGOs to jointly establish a think tank to enhance the academic performance of rural students.
He said that this initiative aims to ensure rural students do not miss out on the benefits offered by the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) implemented from this year.
Douglas pointed out that the think tank committee must thoroughly study the real challenges faced by students in remote areas, including academic foundation, career perspectives, and whether they possess the qualifications necessary for admission to Sarawak’s own universities.
“We must identify ways and approaches to improve the overall performance of rural students so that they are qualified and not left behind when it comes to enjoying FTES benefits.”
“I hope the outcomes of this think tank will serve as a forward-looking initiative to ensure the Dayak community is not marginalized.” He expressed this at a PADUM dinner held at the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) Building in Kuching recently.
As the patron of PADUM, Douglas noted that FTES applies to Sarawakian students pursuing higher studies at Sarawak-owned universities, including Curtin University Malaysia, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, i-CATS University College, and Universiti Teknologi Sarawak, covering a total of 64 courses aligned with Sarawak’s new economic directions, such as engineering, medicine, technology, and specialized professional fields.
At the same time, he also praised PADUM, under the leadership of President Cooplay Ngipa Aji, for its steady development over the past 12 years, and for successfully acquiring a shop lot at Batu Kawa MJC as its association office.
To further strengthen operations and project implementation, Douglas said he has agreed to allocate funds for two full-time staff to manage PADUM’s office affairs.
On another note, regarding achievements in infrastructure, Douglas said that during the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMK-12), the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development received a total allocation of RM43.34 billion for infrastructure development, including RM6.7 billion for the construction of 20 bridges, of which 8 have been fully completed.
At the event, Douglas also presented certificates to 11 lifetime members, 7 ordinary members, and 26 students who received PADUM achievement grants, in recognition of their outstanding results in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examinations, and for successfully entering higher learning institutions.
He said that this initiative aims to ensure rural students do not miss out on the benefits offered by the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) implemented from this year.
Douglas pointed out that the think tank committee must thoroughly study the real challenges faced by students in remote areas, including academic foundation, career perspectives, and whether they possess the qualifications necessary for admission to Sarawak’s own universities.
“I hope the outcomes of this think tank will serve as a forward-looking initiative to ensure the Dayak community is not marginalized.” He expressed this at a PADUM dinner held at the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) Building in Kuching recently.
As the patron of PADUM, Douglas noted that FTES applies to Sarawakian students pursuing higher studies at Sarawak-owned universities, including Curtin University Malaysia, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, i-CATS University College, and Universiti Teknologi Sarawak, covering a total of 64 courses aligned with Sarawak’s new economic directions, such as engineering, medicine, technology, and specialized professional fields.
At the same time, he also praised PADUM, under the leadership of President Cooplay Ngipa Aji, for its steady development over the past 12 years, and for successfully acquiring a shop lot at Batu Kawa MJC as its association office.
To further strengthen operations and project implementation, Douglas said he has agreed to allocate funds for two full-time staff to manage PADUM’s office affairs.
On another note, regarding achievements in infrastructure, Douglas said that during the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMK-12), the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development received a total allocation of RM43.34 billion for infrastructure development, including RM6.7 billion for the construction of 20 bridges, of which 8 have been fully completed.
At the event, Douglas also presented certificates to 11 lifetime members, 7 ordinary members, and 26 students who received PADUM achievement grants, in recognition of their outstanding results in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examinations, and for successfully entering higher learning institutions.