KOTA SAMARAHAN: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) have expressed confidence in expanding the Impact Digital Community Tourism (IDCT) programme beyond Malaysian borders, with Kalimantan and Brunei identified as potential destinations for its next edition.
UNIMAS Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit said the programme, now in its second year, has successfully brought together 23 universities, polytechnics and communities alongside students and mentors to help local communities market their products and improve their socioeconomic standing.
“This year we succeeded (in doing the programme), and next year we will spread our wings to Kalimantan and Brunei, InsyaAllah,” he said.
He added that MoHE had indicated it would provide funding to UNIMAS to continue the programme in the coming year.
Ahmad Hata said IDCT 2.0 was closely aligned with UNIMAS’ Strategic Plan 2026-2030, which is built on four pillars, the first being Inspiring People.
“It is not only our students, researchers and lecturers that we inspire, but also the local community — people we inspire to work together to increase the productivity of their area,” he said, adding that UNIMAS has long practised its philosophy as a community-driven university for a sustainable future.
MoHE Strategic Planning Division Secretary Fazidah Mustafa confirmed the ministry’s support for the programme’s expansion, noting that IDCT has already evolved significantly across its editions.
She said IDCT 1.0 involved only institutions in Borneo — Sabah and Sarawak — while IDCT 2.0 has expanded to include universities from Peninsular Malaysia as well.
“If there is a 3.0, we will try to secure funding to expand internationally — perhaps to Kalimantan or Brunei, as the vice-chancellor mentioned,” she said.
Both were met by the press after officiating at the closing ceremony of IDCT 2.0 at The Summer Shopping Mall yesterday (June 14).
