THE Sarawak Cabinet has approved the proposal for the implementation of the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), set to launch in 2026, offering free tertiary education to eligible students in the state.
In a statement released today, the Sarawak Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development confirmed that the approval was granted during the Cabinet meeting held on March 20.
The FTES will be open to all Sarawakians and aims to ease the financial burden of higher education.
The initiative will apply to students enrolled in Sarawak-owned higher learning institutions, including Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University of Malaysia, University Technology of Sarawak, and i-CATS University College.
The approved programmes under the FTES will cover a wide range of disciplines, including undergraduate degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Law, Medicine, Accounting, and Finance.
The ministry further explained that the scheme will apply to both new and existing students from 2026 onwards. Not only will it cover tuition fees, but it will also provide a stipend of RM15,000 per year for students from households with a per capita income of RM1,500 or less.
On March 12, Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Sarawak's Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development, stated that additional details about the scheme, including the full list of courses and the application process, will be unveiled in November.
With the launch of this ambitious initiative, Sarawak aims to make higher education more accessible and ensure that financial constraints do not hinder talented students from pursuing their academic and professional aspirations. – March 28, 2025
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