CM in talks with Curtin, Swinburne on Sarawak students completing studies in Australia

SIBU: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg says he is currently negotiating with Curtin University Malaysia and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus on the plan for students to complete their final-year studies on specific disciplines, in Australia.

Additionally, he says the talks may also include University College of Technology Sarawak ( UCTS) later on.

“Curtin and Swinburne university groups have campuses in Australia. Maybe for specific disciplines ( Yayasan Sarawak scholarship holders ) do two years at Swinburne University or Curtin University in Sarawak for a number of specific disciplines. The final year, we send (them) to the main campus in Melbourne or Perth, whichever is the university.

“This means these are the new disciplines where Sarawak does not have the facilities.

“I believe this will give our children the necessary exposure and furthermore, these are the new disciplines.

“Maybe local universities are slightly lacking in (areas like) artificial intelligence and robotics,” he said at ‘ Yayasan Sarawak Excellent Students Prize Handing Ceremony 2018 for Sibu Division’ recently.

Adding on, Abang Johari noted that there are many new disciplines related to new technologies nowadays.

Citing information and communications technology ( ICT) as an example, he listed programmers, system analysts and cyber security specialists as those from the new disciplines set to transform the world towards Industrial Revolution 4.0.

In this respect, he also noted that UCTS has a programme on ‘wood technology’.

Abang Johari also mentioned Vietnam as one of the largest furniture producers in South East Asia, utilising new technologies in the replanting of trees.

“This has created job opportunities for the people,” he said.