KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will give its full backing to efforts to develop the sole state-owned institution of higher learning, the University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF), says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said his administration would also support UCSF’s initiatives on “elevating the quality of education and its excellence in churning out skilled human capital”.
Hajiji, who is also UCSF chancellor, said the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Universiti Teknologi Petronas and UCSF last December was another feather in the institution’s cap in its efforts to develop human capital in Sabah.
“Through this cooperation, UCSF will offer specific courses on oil and gas ... to produce more local students to work in various jobs in the sector.
“Policies in talent and human capital management have been drawn up and will continue to be among my priorities,” he said during the second UCSF convocation ceremony here yesterday.
The Chief Minister said UCSF was established eight years ago with the goal of fulfilling social responsibility and sustainability in the state.
The institution, he said, had so far met the objectives to produce more professional workers who could contribute to development in Sabah.
He added that the university college had also churned out graduates who were able to compete in the job market.
Towards this end, he proposed that UCSF open a mini campus in Tawau in line with the institution’s internationalisation efforts in terms of academics and research.
To ensure UCSF becomes the choice of the younger generation, Hajiji said the state government would allocate a further RM5mil as research grants.
These funds would be for research on development in Sabah, courses and training for civil servants and youth, as well as pioneering projects, he added.
Hajiji said he had also approved a research body in the UCSF with a startup fund of RM5mil.
“I hope with this additional assistance, UCSF will continue to excel,” he said.
