KUCHING (March 28): The Sarawak Cabinet has approved the proposal paper for the implementation of the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES).

Sarawak's Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, in a statement on Friday, said the approval was given during the state Cabinet meeting on March 20.

It said the implementation of the Sarawak FTES will commence in 2026, and it will be open to Sarawakians.

“The institutions involved are Sarawak-owned institutes of higher learning, namely the Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University of Malaysia, University Technology of Sarawak, and i-CATS University College.

“The approved programmes under the FTES include Undergraduate Degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Law, Medical, Accounting and Finance,” it said.

According to the ministry, the FTES is applicable to new and all existing enrolments from 2026 onwards.

“This scheme covers free tuition fees. Additionally, a stipend of RM15,000 per year for students from households with a per capita income of RM1,500 per month and below is also included under this scheme,” according to the statement.

On March 12, state Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn reportedly said that further details of Sarawak's free tertiary education initiative would be announced in November.

He said the details will include the list of courses and application procedures.

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