SAMARAHAN: The UNIMAS Student Pledge Ceremony on June 15 brought together 1,112 new students, marking the largest intake since the Centre for Pre-University Studies was established in 2010.
Held as part of the 2026/2027 Student Welcome and Orientation Week (MAP) at the University of Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Hall, Samarahan, the event brought together new students as they began adapting to university life, including many from rural areas who are pursuing higher education away from home.
Sarawak Tribune spoke to several students who shared their expectations and aspirations for their academic journey.
For 18-year-old Viongina Emya Mandrid, who hails from a remote area in Lundu, she looks forward to beginning her academic journey.
“I am very excited to be able to go to university, especially because I’m from a remote area, as it is very hard for people from remote areas to enter university.
“Previously I was from Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) Kuching and what makes me feel most excited about this is because I can change my family’s life through pursuing a higher education,” she said.
As she continues her studies in Foundations of Life Sciences, she shared that it has been her dream to expand her knowledge on the medical field.
“I hope I can expand my field of study in the medical field, because I am interested in being a doctor, particularly in neurosurgery,” she said.
She further encouraged students from remote areas to study hard to improve a better living of life.
“You should be courageous by taking opportunities, and it is also important to search for scholarships as certain are available two weeks after Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results are out,” she said.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Julies Jayden admitted that he already misses his family, despite having been at UNIMAS for only two days.
“I came from the rural area of Kapit, and earlier it was hard to adapt since I am far from my family but as time goes by, I am starting to enjoy my time here as I have gained many friends,” he said.
He also said that he first learned about the university through an event held in his hometown.
“I discovered UNIMAS from an event held in Kapit, and my mom also mentioned it before, resulting in me choosing this university as my first choice for my Foundations of Physical Sciences,” he said.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Muhammad Fauzan Azim Suhaimi who is from Keningau, Sabah, shared that he is enrolling in the Foundation in Physical Sciences programme, with aspirations to become an electrical engineer.
“Initially, I did not believe I would be able to pursue studies at the tertiary level, but perhaps it is destiny that has led me here, so I accepted it with an open heart.
“I am also surprised by how big UNIMAS is, and I am looking forward to my studies here, hoping it will be a fun and meaningful experience,” he said.
Feeling grateful for securing a place in a higher education institution, he advised students not to underestimate themselves despite coming from rural areas.
“For students out there, even if we come from rural areas, we should never feel that we are overlooked by others.
“We must step out of our comfort zone to purs
