KUCHING: Kuching Sarawak Polytechnic (PKS) and Land Surveyors Board Sarawak (LSBS) have strengthened their strategic partnership by awarding RM37,500 in study grants to 25 Diploma in Geomatics students while supporting talent development through an international geomatics competition.
The RM1,500 grant for each recipient aims to ease tuition costs while encouraging academic excellence among Diploma in Geomatics students.
The annual initiative is offered to eligible students pursuing studies in the specialised field.
“The collaboration between PKS and LSBS reflects the industry’s confidence in the role of TVET institutions in producing graduates who meet current industry needs,” PKS said in a statement here on Friday (July 10).
It said that the initiatives such as the study grants and the International Sarawak Bridge & Mapping Challenge 2026 (iSBMC’26) would benefit students while serving as catalysts for nurturing competitive geomatics talent and strengthening Sarawak’s TVET ecosystem.
“Besides the study grants, LSBS also contributed RM5,000 towards the organisation of iSBMC’26, scheduled to be held at PKS from Sept 30 to Oct 1. The international competition will feature the Build and Bend Challenge and Creative Mapping Challenge,” it said.
PKS said the competition would provide participants with opportunities to demonstrate creativity, innovation and technical expertise in engineering and geomatics while encouraging greater industry and academic collaboration through practical problem-solving and knowledge exchange.
The institution added that LSBS’ continued support demonstrates the professional body’s commitment to strengthening human capital development and enhancing Sarawak’s geomatics ecosystem through sustained collaboration between industry and educational institutions.
It noted that the state’s land surveying and geospatial sectors continue requiring skilled professionals, with many PKS Diploma in Geomatics graduates serving in licensed land surveying firms and related government agencies throughout Sarawak.
The study grants and sponsorship were presented during the TVET Collaboration Hub (TCH) Geomatics Strategic Discourse and the Centre of Technology Geomatics (CT GEO) Industry Partners Appreciation Ceremony at the Grand Margherita Hotel on July 7.
The ceremony also saw certificates of appreciation presented to industry partners in recognition of their continued contributions towards academic development, research, industrial training and collaborative initiatives supporting the growth of geomatics education in Sarawak.
