Varsity to start aerospace programme in September

BY ALEXANDRA LORNA & NURIN PATRA

KUCHING: The aerospace faculty at i-CATS University College here will begin its first semester for aerospace programme in September, this year.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Federal Government has approved the establishment of the faculty, following confirmation from the Ministry of Higher Education.

“This approval allows i-CATS to begin offering a programme in aerospace leading to a degree programme starting this September.

“Although the Federal Government has granted permission, the funding for this initiative will come from the state, not federal resources,” Abang Johari said.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (third left) with Yayasan Sarawak Director Mersal Abang Rosli (fourth right) showing a thumbs up after launching the statewide Sarawak Education Expo, while from left Adana Jed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Finance Secretary Datuk Seri Wan Lizozman Wan Omar and Siti Zulaiha Ibrahim Deputy Education Director Sarawak (School Management Sector) applaud.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (seated centre) with seated from left Adana Jed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Yayasan Sarawak Director Mersal Abang Rosli, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Finance Secretary Datuk Seri Wan Lizozman Wan Omar and Siti Zulaiha Ibrahim Deputy Education Director Sarawak (School Management Sector) having a photograph taken with the SPM excellent students after presenting the awards.

He told reporters this after officiating the Sarawak Education Expo at Tan Sri Aziz Hall, i-CATS University College on Saturday.

The Premier said the aerospace programme would commence at the current I-CATS campus. However there are plans to use the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (Centexs) Lundu as a training centre for the aviation industry.

“Now, Sarawak’s children can learn about space technology. I have enacted the Spectrum law through the Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2022. The signal goes through space, and the spectrum is owned by Sarawak now.

“We want our children to learn about space technology. We need researchers for the new disciplines and knowledge that can transform Sarawak,” Abang Johari said in his speech, earlier.

He pointed out that Sarawak was fortunate because the state has its own universities.

“One of them is I-CATS, which is fully owned by the people of Sarawak. Although the current facilities are modest, don’t worry as we are planning to build a new campus for i-CATS.

“The location has been identified at Trombol, not far from Telaga Air, Lundu, and Sematan. The new campus will have a beautiful sea view and I have approved the funding for this new campus, which is nearly RM300 million.

“This means we are providing the latest facilities, embracing technology as a means to gain more knowledge, and establishing a state-of-the-art campus to produce graduates who will elevate Sarawak as a centre of modern learning,” he said.