Dr Sim: Fudan University branch campus proposal waiting for approval from China’s Education Ministry

KUCHING (March 29): The plan to establish a Fudan University branch campus in Miri is awaiting approval from China’s Ministry of Education, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

He said the branch campus was crucial for advancing the state’s ambitions in drug discovery and medical innovation, with the aim of progressing to the forefront of the field.

“The Sarawak government and Shanghai government have both expressed support. In December 2025, following my letter in August, the Malaysian government, through the Ministry of Higher Education, conveyed it has no objections to Sarawak establishing a Fudan University branch.

“The next step is to secure approval from China’s Ministry of Education in Beijing. Once that is obtained, we can proceed without delay,” he said at the grand opening of the Borneo Medical Centre’s second satellite laboratory at Pines Square here yesterday.

Meanwhile, Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, was also asked about expanding state sponsorship initiatives for Sarawakian medical students at universities nationwide similar to the programme supporting 80 students at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).

He said the Premier had initially focused on Unimas as it was “local”.

“If you send them to Kuala Lumpur, what if they don’t return? You send them to Australia, they might never come back. We can send them abroad, but then goodbye, right? It doesn’t solve our problem.

“Previously, the state sponsorship supported only 40 students, but due to a shortage of doctors, the Premier has increased it to 80. I hope Sarawakians take the opportunity to apply to Unimas first,” he said.

In regards to political issues, Dr Sim declined to comment on the recent expulsion of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Kuching branch chairperson Datuk Lily Yong.