Latest news with #Annuar
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Science
- Borneo Post
Dr Annuar: 82 pct of courses at three state-owned universities to be free under Sarawak education scheme
Dr Annuar said the list of free courses will continue to expand, with reviews to be carried out by an independent panel formed by universities. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 27): A total of 82 per cent courses offered at three state-owned universities next year will be free under the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES). Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said the figure is based on data from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University Malaysia, and University of Technology Sarawak. He revealed that Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak will offer 22 out of 25 courses for free, UTS will offer 15 out of 18 courses for free, while 21 out of 28 Curtin University Malaysia courses will be free. 'All in all, 82 per cent of the courses offered by the three universities will be free next year, which is almost 100 percent,' Dr Annuar told a press conference at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today. He added i-CATS University College had yet to give its figure. He was responding to Chong Chieng Jen (DAP–Padungan), who had yesterday questioned the ministry on why FTES only applied to selected courses. Dr Annuar said the list of free courses will continue to expand, with reviews to be carried out by an independent panel formed by universities. 'The review of which courses are needed is done by an independent panel formed by universities such as UPM (Universiti Putra Malaysia) and UiTM (Universiti Teknologi Mara). 'So, if Swinburne says, 'I want this course to be free,' we will forward this to the panel. The panel will then advise the ministry, and the Cabinet will have to approve,' he explained. He cited psychology as an example of a course that was not initially included but later added following a review. 'Initially it was not there, but when we reviewed and the Premier agreed, there were many people with problems. 'And partly also, in psychology, there is a science input. In psychology, it's all part of the brain. 'So, there needs to be science input. In fact, we are short of that,' said Dr Annuar. He added that once the infrastructure is in place, the focus should shift to human capital, as natural resources alone are insufficient to drive economic growth.
Borneo Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak's free tertiary education scheme paves way for skilled workforce by 2030, says Dr Annuar
Dr Annuar says the free education policy is also specifically designed to ensure that graduates are highly employable, with a focus on STEM-based courses, as well as professional fields such as accounting and finance. – The Borneo Post photo KUCHING (May 22): The state government continues to strengthen its commitment to human capital development through the implementation of the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), which is seen as a key catalyst in achieving the target of 30 per cent highly skilled workforce by 2030, in line with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. According to Deputy State Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, the scheme not only opens up educational opportunities for students from low-income families, but also supports the growth of strategic sectors such as the digital economy, green economy, aerospace, and renewable energy. 'This policy is a noble one as it not only helps underprivileged students to further their education, but also has the potential to completely eliminate the need for them to incur debt after graduation. 'In addition, university enrolment is bound to increase, and this in turn will reduce our dependence on foreign workers in those fields,' he said in response to a question from Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman (GPS-Tupong) at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today. Dr Annuar highlighted that under the FTES, the Sarawak government offers free tuition at state-owned universities. Additionally, students from families with a per capita income of RM1,500 or below will receive a living allowance of RM15,000 per year, which covers accommodation, meals, and basic student necessities, he said. 'I would like to clarify here that the RM15,000 allocation is separate from the RM1,200 Special Government Assistance (BKK) given to all Sarawakian students in higher learning institutions, regardless of family income.' He added that this free education policy is also specifically designed to ensure that graduates are highly employable, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-based courses, as well as professional fields such as accounting and finance. 'We do not want to produce unemployed graduates simply because their field of study does not match market demands. This free education scheme is targeted at fields that are relevant to current labour market demands in Sarawak,' he said. He also said this initiative can help address the issue of students being offered courses they are not interested in through the Central University Admission Unit (UPU), particularly due to stiff competition in public universities. 'With the existence of state-owned universities and financial support from FTES, more students can pursue studies in fields they are passionate about and which match their individual potential,' he said. dr annuar rapaee DUN free tertiary education lead
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sarawak free tertiary study scheme to fulfil 2030 workforce needs, says state deputy education minister
The Sarawak Legislative Assembly complex in Kuching. KUCHING: Sarawak's free tertiary education scheme aims to meet the state's workforce needs in high-skill sectors towards achieving developed status by 2030, says Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee. The state Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister said this was in line with Sarawak's target of having 30% of its workforce highly skilled in digital economy, green economy, aerospace and renewable energy. "One key indicator of the scheme is that it will assist students, especially those from lower-income families, to enter university, resulting in higher enrolment in our state-owned universities. "This will also reduce our dependence on foreign labour in these important fields," he told Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman (GPS-Tupong) during question time in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Thursday (May 22). The free tertiary education scheme, to be implemented from 2026, will fully cover tuition fees for eligible Sarawakian students at state-owned higher learning institutions comprising Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University of Malaysia, University Technology of Sarawak and i-CATS University College. The approved programmes under the scheme include undergraduate degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Law, Medical, Accounting and Finance. Dr Annuar said STEM-related and professional courses were offered under the scheme to meet Sarawak's workforce needs. "If we open up the scheme for every course, it might produce unemployed graduates. "We need to match the courses offered under the scheme with the demands of the job market," he said. More importantly, he added, the scheme would ensure that graduates were not in debt upon completing their studies as they would have no student loans to repay. Besides covering tuition fees, he said the state government would provide a yearly stipend of RM15,000 to students from households with a per capita income of RM1,500 and below. "This is meant to assist them in terms of accommodation and other living expenses," he said. To complement the scheme, Dr Annuar also said the state government had allocated RM20mil for the Sarawak educational enhancement programme to provide free tuition to students from Form Three to Form Five. He said this would help them achieve the necessary qualifications to pursue STEM-related and professional courses at state-owned institutions. "We believe this programme will help rural students in particular to benefit from the free tertiary education scheme," he said.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
M-League will not collapse, Kelantan to continue competing
FORMER Kelantan Football Association (KAFA) President Tan Sri Annuar Musa has expressed confidence that the Malaysian League (M-League) will not collapse. In a Facebook post, Annuar urged all parties to unite and continue striving for the future of national football. He also hinted that Kelantan Darul Naim (KDN) FC would remain in the Super League next season, while stressing the importance of learning from past shortcomings. 'Will the league die? InsyaAllah, no. We must make every effort. Let us not point fingers. Everyone has contributed. Kelantan will compete in the Super League, InsyaAllah. we will manage things our way and learn from past weaknesses. 'What is certain is that many surprises await... InsyaAllah, we will no longer allow the Kelantan team to be an easy target. One condition: unity and willingness to serve – for the sport, for Kelantan, and for the nation's football,' he said in the post. Yesterday, local media reported that KDN FC had confirmed the club was ready to collaborate with Annuar Musa, who is also a prominent figure in Kelantan's football development, in efforts to revive the glory days of the nation's number one sport. On Sunday, former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar reportedly warned that the M-League is now on the brink of crisis and risks collapse if immediate action is not taken, following the increasing number of teams facing financial difficulties. The official number of teams competing in the 2025/2026 Super League remains uncertain as the document review process for the National Licence application for next season is still ongoing, while media reports suggest several teams are expected to withdraw. For the record, KDN FC finished last in last season's Super League, collecting only seven points from 24 matches.
Barnama
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Barnama
M-League Will Not Collapse, Kelantan To Continue Competing
KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- Former Kelantan Football Association (KAFA) President Tan Sri Annuar Musa has expressed confidence that the Malaysian League (M-League) will not collapse. In a Facebook post, Annuar urged all parties to unite and continue striving for the future of national football. He also hinted that Kelantan Darul Naim (KDN) FC would remain in the Super League next season, while stressing the importance of learning from past shortcomings. bootstrap slideshow 'Will the league die? InsyaAllah, no. We must make every effort. Let us not point fingers. Everyone has contributed. Kelantan will compete in the Super League, InsyaAllah. we will manage things our way and learn from past weaknesses. 'What is certain is that many surprises await... InsyaAllah, we will no longer allow the Kelantan team to be an easy target. One condition: unity and willingness to serve – for the sport, for Kelantan, and for the nation's football,' he said in the post. Yesterday, local media reported that KDN FC had confirmed the club was ready to collaborate with Annuar Musa, who is also a prominent figure in Kelantan's football development, in efforts to revive the glory days of the nation's number one sport. On Sunday, former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar reportedly warned that the M-League is now on the brink of crisis and risks collapse if immediate action is not taken, following the increasing number of teams facing financial difficulties. The official number of teams competing in the 2025/2026 Super League remains uncertain as the document review process for the National Licence application for next season is still ongoing, while media reports suggest several teams are expected to withdraw. For the record, KDN FC finished last in last season's Super League, collecting only seven points from 24 matches.
