KUCHING: Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has welcomed a proposal for the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) to establish a presence in Sarawak, describing it as a positive step towards strengthening the state’s human capital.
The Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, who is also Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, said Sarawak should remain open to both public and private higher education institutions seeking to expand into the state.
“I see it as a very good proposal because anything that can improve our human capital is something we should welcome,” he said when met by reporters after officiating the IIUM Alumni Ummatic Gathering in Sarawak at the Waterfront Hotel here today.
Abdul Karim, who graduated from IIUM with a Bachelor of Laws in 1989, said expanding access to quality higher education would help realise Sarawak’s aspiration of producing a knowledgeable and skilled population.
“If universities are interested in expanding into Sarawak, whether public or private, I think we should respond positively,” he said.
His remarks came after IIUM Rector, Professor Emeritus Datuk Osman Bakar, revealed that the university had been approached by Sarawak alumni about establishing an academic presence in the state.
“If we decide to establish a presence in Sarawak, we want to be different.
“We want to provide something attractive to the government and the people of Sarawak. We do have knowledge capital and human capital that are unique and not available elsewhere,” Osman said.
He said IIUM is exploring several options, including introducing specialised academic programmes before considering a full campus, allowing the university to offer its unique strengths while requiring a lower initial investment.
The IIUM Alumni Ummatic Gathering brought together about 120 alumni from across Sarawak, providing a platform to strengthen ties with the university while discussing opportunities to contribute to the state’s future development.
