Fully-funded higher education soon for Sarawakian workers, says Sagah

Sagah added that the free higher education for Sarawakian workers is open to both employees in the public and private sectors.
KUCHING (May 24): Sarawakian workers seeking to further their studies will soon be able to apply for a fully-funded higher education, said Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
The State Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister pointed out that while his ministry is currently concentrating on the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) for school students, a similar initiative will soon be extended to Sarawakian working adults.
'We will devise the form (for the Sarawakian workers), but they must first apply for a place in a university (to further their studies),' he said when met after launching the Pesta Sungai Simpok at Kampung Simpok today.
Sagah added that the free higher education for Sarawakian workers is open to both employees in the public and private sectors.
He also reiterated that the assistance will be provided only to those pursuing full-time studies, not part-time courses.
'We want to give opportunities to those who may already hold a degree or who previously did not have the chance to pursue tertiary education but are now working, so they can further their studies and improve their qualifications.
'My advice is that they must choose courses relevant to their future.'
He added that there is no age limit for the fully-funded studies, as long as individuals have the 'K' status in their MyKad to prove that they are Sarawakians.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, at the state-level 2025 Labour Day celebration on May 18, had announced that the Sarawak government is offering free full-time higher education to Sarawakian adults who wish to resume full-time studies.
The courses to enrol are in state-owned higher learning institutions, namely Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, i-CATS University College, and Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak.
Meanwhile, on the Pesta Sungai Simpok, Sagah, who is Tarat assemblyman, said there are plans to include it as an annual event in Sarawak's tourism calendar.
To realise this, he said further infrastructure improvements need to be done at the riverfront to attract more visitors to Kampung Simpok.
'This has been an annual event since 2018, except during the Covid-19 pandemic.
'The event serves as a reminder to the public about the importance of river cleanliness, as the river is the lifeline for the villagers,' he said, while thanking AirAsia for jointly organising this year's event. free higher education lead Roland Sagah workers

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