KOTA SAMARAHAN: The medical programme continues to be the most sought-after course at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), with the university maintaining its position as the fourth medical faculty established in Malaysia after University Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit said UNIMAS is allocated a quota of 160 students annually for medicine by the Malaysian Medical Council.
In addition, 40 Sarawakian students are sponsored by Yayasan Sarawak each year to undergo attachments after graduation to serve in state hospitals.
“This collaboration ensures that Sarawak does not face shortages of medical officers.
“The programme has produced many graduates who are now serving in the State’s healthcare system,” he said during a press conference after the 2025/26 Student Pledge Ceremony at Arena Gemilang, DeTAR Putra, today.
This year, a total of 4,119 new students has officially joined UNIMAS.
About 70 per cent of the intake is Sarawakian, with priority given to those from rural areas, followed by students from Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.
The intake was welcomed during ‘Minggu Aluan Pelajar’ (MAP) 2025/26, held from September 29 to October 2, which included detailed academic briefings, motivational sessions with alumni, and introductions to campus facilities and support services.
Ahmad Hata added that while medicine remains the top choice, all academic programmes offered by UNIMAS are marketable and designed to meet current industry needs.
Throughout the week, students attended detailed academic briefings covering course structures, assessment systems, and faculty regulations, including an introduction to postgraduate programmes.
Orientation activities also included ice-breaking sessions to build networks among students from diverse backgrounds, as well as motivational and character-building sessions with UNIMAS alumni to instil resilience, discipline and long-term goals.
Students were further introduced to campus facilities such as the resource centre, residential colleges and health services, alongside student support resources to ensure their welfare and wellbeing during their studies.
With the conclusion of the pledge ceremony, a total of 4,119 new students is now ready to embark on their academic journey at UNIMAS, a leading research university in Borneo.
