KUCHING – The Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Openg, met with senior officials from i-CATS University College during a courtesy call on Wednesday. The meeting was held at the Satria Pertiwi Complex in Petra Jaya.
The delegation was headed by the institution’s Pro-Chancellor, Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr) Abdul Aziz Dato Husain. He presented a comprehensive update on the university college’s strategic direction and recent progress.
A primary focus of the discussion was i-CATS’s evolving role as a pivotal centre for higher education dedicated to cultivating a highly skilled workforce for Sarawak.
Significant milestones were shared with the Premier, indicating that the institution is on a clear pathway towards achieving full university status in the near future. This ambition is supported by a series of academic and infrastructural advancements currently underway.
The presentation detailed existing academic offerings, as well as new programmes in development, with a pronounced emphasis on fields within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
A major point of update concerned the development of the new i-CATS Main Campus in Trombol. The construction of this facility represents a significant investment in the state’s educational infrastructure. In a key announcement, the delegation confirmed that the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering will welcome its first cohort of students in August 2025.
Further aligning with state priorities, the establishment of a Faculty of Energy Transition was also outlined. This new faculty is designed to directly support the Sarawak Government’s own strategic agenda in the energy sector. By producing graduates in this cutting-edge field, i-CATS aims to contribute to the state’s position in global energy markets.
The delegation also took the opportunity to inform the Premier about the forthcoming 27th Convocation Ceremony. The event is scheduled to take place on the 8th of November at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre. This ceremony will mark the graduation of another cohort of skilled professionals into the Sarawak workforce.
The expansion into specialised fields like aerospace engineering and energy transition underscores a concerted effort to align educational outputs with the economic needs of the state.
This approach is seen as critical for ensuring that Sarawak’s youth are equipped with the qualifications required for the jobs of the future. The government has consistently emphasised the importance of education as a cornerstone for sustainable economic development.
