KUCHING: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has urged the University of Malaya Dayak Alumni Association (PADUM) and Dayak non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to form a think-tank to improve the performance of rural students.
He said this is to ensure they do not miss out on the benefits of the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), which begins this year.
Uggah said the committee must examine the real challenges faced by students in remote areas, including academic readiness, career exposure and preparedness to meet entry requirements for study programmes offered at Sarawak-owned universities.
“We must find ways and approaches to improve the performance of rural students so that they qualify and are not left behind from enjoying the benefits of FTES.
“I want the outcomes of this think-tank committee to be presented as a proactive step to ensure the Dayak community is not sidelined,” he said when speaking at PADUM’s dinner event held at the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) Complex here recently.
Uggah, who is also PADUM Patron, said FTES applies to Sarawakian students pursuing studies at Sarawak-owned universities namely Curtin Malaysia, Swinburne Sarawak, i-CATS and Universiti Teknologi Sarawak, covering 64 programmes aligned with the state’s new economic direction, including engineering, medicine, technical fields and professional specialisations.
At the same time, he commended PADUM for maintaining the association’s continuity over the past 12 years under the leadership of its chairman, Cooplay Ngipa Aji, including its success in acquiring a shop lot at MJC Batu Kawa to serve as PADUM’s office.
In line with this, Uggah said that to strengthen operations and programme implementation, he has agreed to fund two full-time staff members to manage PADUM’s office.
In another development, commenting on achievements in the infrastructure sector, Uggah said that during the implementation of the 12th Malaysia Plan, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development received a total allocation of RM43.34 billion for infrastructure development, including the construction of 20 bridges worth RM6.7 billion, eight of which have been fully completed.
At the event, Uggah also presented certificates to 11 life members, seven ordinary members and 26 PADUM incentive recipients in recognition of SPM and STPM achievements as well as admission into institutions of higher learning.
