Opening tertiary education to UEC holders

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg announced on last Thursday that by 2026, Sarawakians with Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) qualifications will be able to study for free at state-owned higher education institutions under 2026 free tertiary education scheme.

The universities under this scheme are Curtin University Malaysia, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, University of Technology Sarawak, Sarawak Center of Excellence in Technology (Centexs), and i-CATS University College.

The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) central youth committee publicity and information secretary Kelvin Hii lauded state government for coming up the new policy.

“During the era of former chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, Sarawak became the first region in the country to recognise UEC holders. Now the state has once again become the first to offer free education to all students.

“I would like to thank the state government for its enlightened and wise use of funds to allow Sarawakians to benefit from such a policy.

“More importantly, this policy is not targeted at any specific ethnic group but rather encompasses all the citizens of the state, allowing everyone to reap its rewards,” he said via a statement yesterday, reported Borneo Post.

He also said teaching citizens how to fish ultimately will benefits the state.

“Instead of giving its citizens a fish, the state government is teaching its citizens how to fish, thereby increasing the state’s knowledge and wisdom.

“Sarawak will become rich, not only economically but also intellectually,” said Hii.

He was referring to Abang Johari recent comment that it is vital to empower the young with knowledge, linking teaching the young to teaching them to teaching them how to fish.

Sarawak has recognized the UEC since 2014.