KUCHING: Sarawak has another fully-fledged university following i-CATS University College being elevated to full university status.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the university will be renamed following its elevation, with the new name to be announced by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
"The Federal Government supports efforts by states to establish higher educational institutions that align with their vision of human capital development.
"With i-CATS now functioning as a full university, we hope it will expand its courses," he told reporters on Tuesday (Oct 20).
Abang Johari and Zambry had earlier witnessed the handover of the full university certificate to i-CATS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly complex.
Zambry said Abang Johari was keen to see the introduction of courses that meet Sarawak's human capital requirements, particularly in emerging technologies and engineering.
"We will coordinate with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) to grant the necessary approvals," he said.
He also said the ministry had approved Sarawak's request for a law degree programme to be introduced at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas)
In addition, he said a proposal by China's Fudan University to set up a research centre in Sarawak had been approved in principle.
"We hope that the higher education ecosystem in Sarawak will complement the state government's efforts to develop the state," Zambry said.
