KUCHING: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus will introduce four new academic programmes next year in line with the state’s Post-Covid Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) and industry needs.
Its board chairman Datuk Amar Jaul Samion said the new programmes are designed to equip students with future-ready skills while supporting Sarawak’s development agenda.
“The new courses include the Graduate Diploma of Education, a new pathway to the Melbourne campus through the Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Honours), the Foundation Plus programme, a new generic foundation with English, and the Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence,” he told a press conference at the campus.
He said the Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence will focus on developing talents in emerging technologies, while the Graduate Diploma of Education aims to help address the state’s teacher shortage and enhance human capital development.
“The Bachelor of Interior Architecture programme offers students a unique pathway they will complete two years in Kuching before proceeding to Swinburne Melbourne to continue their studies,” Jaul added.
He said the new Foundation Plus programme, a one-and-a-half-year preparatory course, will also help students improve their English proficiency and readiness for tertiary studies.
“These initiatives are part of our efforts to ensure Swinburne Sarawak remains relevant and aligned with Sarawak’s innovation and education goals,” he said.
Meanwhile, Swinburne Sarawak’s Pro-Vice Chancellor and chief executive officer Professor Lau Hieng Ho said the rollout of the new programmes will be staggered throughout next year.
“For the Graduate Diploma of Education, it will be launched in the first half of the year, while the Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence is expected to be introduced in the second half.
“The new Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Honours) pathway will also be launched in the first half of the year, while the Foundation Plus (English) programme is expected to commence in the second half,” he added.
On the state government’s free tertiary education scheme (FTES) starting next year, Jaul said Swinburne Sarawak is ready to accommodate an expected increase in student applications.
“Details have been worked out to specifically determine which particular courses or fields of study will be covered under the FTES,” he said.
He said the university expects a higher number of applicants under the scheme and is making the necessary preparations to ensure it can handle the increased intake.
Jaul stressed that Swinburne Sarawak is taking every step to ensure it can manage the higher demand once the scheme takes effect.
