KOTA KINABALU: Persatuan Alumni UiTM Sabah says it opposes any proposal to close or scale down Universiti Teknologi Mara's (UITM) Tawau campus as it undermines higher education opportunities for bumiputra students in Sabah's east coast.
Association president Azhar Matussin said it learned of a proposal to consolidate operations at UiTM Sabah's main campus in Kota Kinabalu that will result in the closure or scaling down of Tawau campus operations.
He said UiTM Tawau, which has operated since 1996, has played a critical role in expanding access to higher education for students from east coast areas such as Tawau, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and surrounding districts.
"UiTM Tawau provides a pathway to higher education, especially for bumiputra students who may not have secured places in other public universities," he said in a statement on Thursday (Oct 27).
"Through its pre-diploma programme, many have been given a second chance to pursue diploma, degree and even postgraduate studies."
Azhar said the campus was established through years of effort, support from the Sabah government and contributions from the local community, and is an important asset in the state's educational development.
He also noted that the Kota Kinabalu campus was already operating at or beyond capacity and would be unable to absorb all students from the Tawau campus.
"Closing UiTM Tawau would be unfair to future generations of Sabah bumiputra, particularly those from the east coast, whose access to higher education would become even more limited," he added.
While supporting the establishment of a polytechnic in Tawau, he said it should not come at UiTM's expense.
"The two institutions serve different purposes and objectives. Replacing one with the other would be like robbing Peter to pay Paul," he said.
The association has submitted a letter dated Aug 24 to state Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, urging the Sabah government to carefully review any proposal to close or scale down the campus.
Azhar said the campus has the potential to be developed into a centre of excellence for agribusiness and agro-entrepreneurship in line with the east coast's plantation- and agriculture-based economy.
The association called on the Sabah government, the Higher Education Ministry and UiTM management to retain and strengthen the role of the Tawau campus, adding that it stands ready to cooperate in efforts to develop the institution.
