Sarawak open to Chinese varsity setting up local campus

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian (seventh left) unveiling the Chinese couplets in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations at the Malaysia-China Friendship Park in Kuching. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

KUCHING: Sarawak would welcome an established Chinese university to set up a local campus in the state, offering studies in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

He said the state is revisiting the idea of getting a Chinese university to set up a branch campus as a way to strengthen ties between Malaysia and China.

“The strength of China’s development nowadays is in technology, smart cities and AI, so we want to tap into that,” he told reporters after unveiling a pair of Chinese couplets in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations at the Malaysia-China Friendship Park here yesterday.

There was a proposal back in 2013 for Shanghai Jiao Tong University to set up a campus but it did not materialise, he added.

“Unfortunately, at that point, the Chinese government did not allow any Chinese university to go outside the country.

“The Xiamen University Malaysia Campus came (in 2016) after our proposal, as the first branch campus that the Chinese government allowed to be established overseas,” he said.

Separately, Dr Sim said the Sarawak government will hold its inaugural Chinese New Year open house on Feb 10, with all welcome to attend.

He said this was the first time the state was hosting an official open house for Chinese New Year, similar to Gawai and Hari Raya.

“The basic idea is that the open house is part of our nation building. It is not just a political party or personal open house but an official Sarawak government open house,” he said.

The open house will be held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching from 9am to 3pm.

Dr Sim, who is also Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president, said he would announce further details on Feb 2 after a second committee meeting.

He also said the SUPP open house would be held in Sibu for the first time this year.

“Since the official open house is in Kuching, we decided to have the party’s open house in Sibu instead,” he said.