Premier: Scholarships for eligible Sarawakians to pursue Master’s Degree at top overseas unis from 2025

KUCHING (Aug 8): Several scholarships will be offered to eligible Sarawakians to pursue Master’s Degrees in various engineering fields at top universities overseas starting next year, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the scholarships will be provided by a range of companies including Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PetChem), which will sponsor two Sarawakians to pursue Master’s Degrees in process engineering, with opportunities to study at prestigious universities in the United States, United Kingdom, or other countries.

Similarly, he added, Yayasan Sarawak will offer scholarships for two students to undertake Master’s Degrees in aerospace engineering and satellite technology, and Petros, the state-owned oil and gas company, will also sponsor two Master’s scholarships in petrochemical engineering.

“I have requested these companies to offer scholarships at the Master’s level, and we may increase the number of scholarships in the coming years, provided these companies continue to prosper,” he said at the Majlis Pelancaran Inisiatif Komputer Riba Percuma dan Majlis Penyampaian Anugerah Khas Premier Sarawak (AKPS) Ke-31 at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here today.

Abang Johari noted that these scholarships are part of a broader strategy to retain Sarawakian talent within the state, ensuring that skilled professionals contribute to Sarawak’s growth and development.

He also hinted at the possibility of expanding these opportunities in the future to include PhD scholarships should there be new fields of study that could benefit Sarawak’s students.

Earlier, Abang Johari said that Sarawak is blessed with abundant power, such as electric power but needs more brain power.

“If we have both, Sarawak can grow and make its mark globally.

“First, we provide free laptops, then by 2026, free basic degrees, and later on sponsored Master’s programs available for those who excel in their studies.

“My only advice to our students is to study hard and help Sarawak shine as a star in this region,” he said.

Also present were Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn; Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah; Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin; State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Yayasan Sarawak director Mersal Abanb Rosli; and Yayasan Sarawak director Datu Dr Azhar Ahmad.