i-CATS upgraded to full-fledged university, RM400 mln Trombol campus in the works

Abang Johari speaking to reporters after officiating at the Sarawak Career and Training (SCaT) Fair 2026 here on June 6, 2026.

By Amanda L

KUCHING, Jun 6: i-CATS University College has been upgraded to a full-fledged university, with the Sarawak government also pressing ahead with plans for a new RM400 million campus in Trombol to support its future growth.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the upgrade was approved by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) after i-CATS fulfilled the requirements set by the Federal government to attain full university status.

“We welcome the decision by MoHE, where the Federal government has decided to upgrade i-CATS after it met the necessary conditions to become a full-fledged university,” he told reporters after officiating at the Sarawak Career and Training (SCaT) Fair 2026 here today.

Abang Johari said the development would provide a significant boost to Sarawak’s higher education sector, particularly in the field of technology.

He noted that Sarawak now has two technology-focused universities under the State’s higher education ecosystem, namely the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) in Sibu and the newly upgraded i-CATS University.

According to him, the university has continued to strengthen its academic offerings and international collaborations, including partnerships with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Istanbul Technical University in Türkiye.

“We have just completed a new faculty building at the university. Academic programmes are also being expanded through collaborations with partner institutions such as UKM and Istanbul Technical University,” he said.

On the proposed new campus in Trombol, the Premier said the Sarawak government is moving ahead with the project, which will be developed in phases at an estimated cost of RM400 million.

The project will include student accommodation and other supporting facilities to cater for the university’s future expansion and growing student population.

Further details on the implementation timeline have yet to be announced. — DayakDaily