Sarawak Paves Clearer Pathways For Diploma Holders To Pursue Degrees

SIBU, July 3 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak government continues to adopt a proactive approach in strengthening the education pathways for diploma graduates through education mapping and credit transfer to degree-level programmes in line with efforts to expand access to higher education in the state.

The initiative was finalised through the Education Mapping and Credit Transfer for Diploma Holders Workshop, co-organised by the Sarawak Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) and Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS), held today at the UTS campus.

The workshop was attended by representatives from 32 higher learning institutions offering diploma programmes, as well as four main universities in Sarawak, namely UTS, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University Malaysia, and i-CATS University College.

State Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said the initiative is crucial ahead of the implementation of the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) next year.

“It opens up opportunities for diploma holders to further their studies in a more structured and organised manner, in line with the implementation of FTES, which will provide free higher education for Sarawakian students,” he told reporters after closing the workshop.

Annuar said under the scheme, eligible students can transfer their credits and continue their studies directly in the second year or third semester of a degree programme without having to start from the first year.

“This move not only saves study time but also reduces financial burden and encourages more students to pursue higher levels of education,” he said.

He said one of the main challenges previously was financial constraints, which caused many diploma graduates to not continue their studies or forced to enter the workforce immediately after graduating.

“With the FTES scheme in place, those barriers can be reduced. However, students must be clearly informed about the available pathways. At present, FTES is only applicable to full-time students.

“If diploma graduates are already working, they will need to resign and register as full-time students to be eligible for free education,” he said.

In this regard, Annuar urged polytechnics and vocational colleges, including Technology College Sarawak (TCS), and Laila Taib College (KLT) to play a more active role in disseminating information to students.

The initiative is also in line with MEITD’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in ensuring access to quality education, while also supporting Sarawak’s talent development and equitable education agenda.

-- BERNAMA