KUCHING: The Sarawak Government is intensifying efforts to strengthen the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem by formalising academic mapping between state-owned universities and all polytechnics and vocational colleges across the state.
Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, said the initiative aims to create a seamless pathway for diploma graduates to pursue degree-level studies through a structured credit transfer system.
“In July, I instructed the four state universities – ICATS University College, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University Malaysia, and University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) – to begin establishing academic mapping with all polytechnics and vocational colleges in Sarawak,” he said.
He said this in his speech at the Matang Vocational College 2025 Appreciation and Excellence Ceremony held at Dewan Sri Mutiara, Matang Vocational College, here today.
Dr Annuar said aligning university programmes with TVET curricula would ensure that diploma holders can transition smoothly into degree courses, reducing duplication and making higher education more accessible.
“I will request these universities to visit Matang Vocational College to brief students next year on the opportunities available for them to continue their studies,” he added.
He emphasised that the Sarawak Government is determined to see more students advance beyond the diploma level, supported by the state’s new free higher education policy beginning next year.
“Starting next year, Sarawak will offer free tertiary education at all four state universities, especially for programmes in STEM and other priority fields. This is in addition to other student assistance schemes,” he said.
Dr Annuar noted that the move to synchronise TVET and university programmes will allow more students to benefit from the free education policy while strengthening Sarawak’s human capital base.
“This is a golden opportunity for students to further their studies for their own future and the progress of our state,” he said.
