KUCHING: About 2,800 Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS) students are benefiting from the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), covering 16 of the university’s 18 undergraduate programmes.
UTS’ Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Mohammad Shahril Osman, said the FTES beneficiaries accounted for nearly half of UTS’ total enrolment of about 5,700 students, with the covered programmes largely focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
“About 1,500 students also receive allowances, including housing allowances and pocket money stipends,” he said.
He said this during a press conference after paying a courtesy call on Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Satria Pertiwi Complex here today.
Meanwhile, Shahril said UTS was planning several new initiatives to enhance its internal services, particularly through the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in its work processes.
He said the university was also planning to introduce new programmes, including a medical programme, following the completion of a feasibility study in July.
He said the findings were presented to the UTS’ Board of Directors on September 17 and would subsequently be submitted to the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) before being presented to the Premier.
The courtesy call also served to introduce Shahril as UTS’ third Vice-Chancellor and to invite Abang Johari to attend the university’s second-session convocation ceremony on November 14.
