Centexs temporary campus in Betong to welcome new trainees early 2019
KUCHING: A new Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak ( Centexs) campus in Betong should be ready for its new intake of trainees early next year.
According to Centexs chief executive officer Syeed Mohd Hussien Wan Abd Rahman, the centre plans to construct a temporary campus in Betong, scheduled to open between January and March next year.
It is said that this campus, despite its temporary status, would after various programmes such as fashion technology, digital agriculture and electrical similar to Kuching campus.
“These will be the three focus areas, especially digital agriculture, which is very important for Betong,” he told reporters after attending Centexs’ fourth convocation at Penview Convention Centre Demak ( PCCD) near here yesterday.
Minister in Chief Minister’s Office ( Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talip Zulpilip officiated at the ceremony.
Betong Centexs will occupy two three- storey shophouse blocks in the new township, and would likely have two intakes in January- July and April- October to cover four courses and 25 trainees per class.
At present, Centexs has a fullf ledged campus in Kuching, while the campuses in Lawas, Dalat and Lundu are still under construction.
Asked if Betong would have a permanent campus, Syeed Mohd Hussien disclosed that Centexs has a piece of land in Betong that should be able to accommodate a larger campus.
“Should it receive approval for construction, the new campus there could be ready by 2021,” he added.
“First, we want to see how the market respond (to Centexs) in Betong. Should the plan materialise, those in Sarikei and Sibu could actually go to the nearest Centexs campus which is Betong,” he said.
As for the RM200- million Centexs campus project in Lundu, works are expected to be completed by 2020, while the facilities in Lawas and Dalat should be ready by 2021.
Meanwhile in his remarks, Talip described all Centexs campuses as ‘crucial’ towards realising the technical and digital importance of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy ( SCORE).
He added that Centexs is known to provide digital and technical courses as well as promoting culture and arts.
He added that the Sarawak government could revive industries that are on the verge of extinction such as traditional craftsmanship, and encourage more people to be involved.
Meanwhile, 442 trainees received their certificates including 15 who were awarded Certificates of Excellence.
The outstanding 15 were from the Welding Technology 6G, Welding Inspector 3.0, Oil and Gas Construction Crew, Rigging and Slinging, Rotating Machinery, Static Equipment, Wireman Plus, Chargeman Level 1, Scaffolding, Working at Height Operator Level 1.1, Hospitality- Banquet Server Operator, Professional Diploma in Hair Design and Make- Up, Fashion Technology (Advanced), Fashion Technology ( Basic) and Digital-Android Mobile Application Development programmes.
Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon, Sarawak Multimedia Authority ( SMA) general manager Dr Zaidi Razak and Yayasan Sarawak representative Ellen @ Manium Engang witnessed the ceremony.