KUCHING: i-CATS University College is embarking on a transformative journey to enhance its academic offerings and expand its enrollment numbers, with plans to introduce 12 new programmes catering to Sarawak’s growing industries.
i-CATS vice-chancellor Emeritus Professor Ts Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi highlighted this initiative during a recent event, emphasising its significance in meeting the region’s workforce demands.
“These programmes are aimed at equipping graduates with skills in critical fields such as energy technology, hydrogen, aerospace, agriculture, digital transformation, and the digital economy. This effort not only seeks to increase our enrollment and revenue but also addresses the needs of Sarawak’s industries,” he said.
Prof Kadim said this during his speech at i-CATS Vice Chancellor’s address: Transforming i-CATS University College at Tan Sri Aziz Hall, i-CATS on Wednesday (Jan 22).
He added that while the names of the programmes are still being finalised, the university hopes to submit them to the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) by April.
“If approved, the programmes are expected to roll out by the end of this year, in preparation for Sarawak’s implementation of free tertiary education in 2026,”he said.
Among the proposed programmes is one focused on renewable energy, which could pave the way for a new faculty dedicated to energy technology.
“We plan to start with energy systems technology first. Due to limitations in staffing and facilities, we cannot roll out everything at once, but we will proceed step by step,” he explained.
He also shared the university’s ambitious enrollment target of 3,000 students by 2026, up from the current figure of just over 1,000. This growth aligns with i-CATS’ aspiration to achieve full university status by next year.
“InsyaAllah, we are committed to transforming i-CATS into a full-fledged university by 2025, ensuring it remains a key player in Sarawak’s higher education landscape,” Prof Kadim concluded.
