KUCHING: Two medical graduates from low-income B40 families caught the attention of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, bringing to light how the Sarawak government’s investment in education can transform lives and create opportunities for rural children.
He said Jasnita Kent from Rumah Anding, Sungai Melinau, Kapit, and Nur Hafizah Auda from Kampung Baru Tatau are among 41 Yayasan Sarawak-sponsored medical students who graduated at the third session of the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) 30th Convocation Ceremony here Tuesday.
He described the achievements of the two graduates as proof that a person’s background or family financial circumstances should not determine their future.
“Both come from B40 families, yet through their own hard work and perseverance, coupled with the support of Yayasan Sarawak sponsorship, they have successfully completed their medical studies.
“To me, Jasnita and Nur Hafizah are living proof that the Sarawak government’s education policy can transform people’s lives,” he said during the ceremony.
Abang Johari said Jasnita’s journey is particularly inspiring as she grew up in a longhouse in Sungai Melinau, which is about two to three hours by road from Kapit town.
Despite the geographical challenges and her family’s background, she remained determined to pursue her ambition of becoming a doctor.
Similarly, Nur Hafizah from Tatau demonstrated that children from B40 households have the ability to excel in professional fields when given the right opportunities and support.
Both graduates received full sponsorship from Yayasan Sarawak, covering their tuition fees and accommodation at residential colleges throughout their studies, as well as annual living allowances.
“This is what I mean by people-centred development. We do not want a place where a child is born or their family’s financial circumstances to determine their future.
“A child from a longhouse in Kapit deserves the same opportunity to become a doctor as a child who grows up in the city,” he said.
He said the success of the two graduates, together with the other 39 Yayasan Sarawak-sponsored medical graduates, should inspire more Sarawakian youths, particularly those from rural areas and low-income families, to pursue their ambitions without giving up.
Abang Johari added that the achievement of the 41 graduates reinforced his confidence in the potential of Sarawak’s young people to become doctors and other healthcare professionals.
In this regard, he said he has recently held discussions with UNIMAS to increase the number of medical study places allocated specifically for Sarawakian students from 40 to 80.
The proposed expansion would involve an additional 40 places, with their studies to be funded by Yayasan Sarawak.
He said the initiative is a strategic investment in developing local healthcare professionals, adding that the objective was not merely to increase the number of medical graduates but also to ensure Sarawak had sufficient, qualified doctors and specialists to serve communities throughout the state.
“We want to ensure that Sarawak has enough doctors and specialists who are competent, qualified and ready to provide services to the people throughout the region,” he said.
Meanwhile, a total of 567 graduates received their respective degrees during the ceremony held in the morning.
The session comprised graduates from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Faculty of Resource Science and Technology.
Of the total, 215 graduates were from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, while the remaining 352 were from the Faculty of Resource Science and Technology.
