A TOTAL of 64 courses have been approved under the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) at four Sarawak-owned higher learning institutions, said Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.

The Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister said the scheme, which will commence in January 2026, is offered at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak and I-CATS University College.

“The detailed list will be announced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on Dec 18,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech.

Sagah expressed gratitude to the Premier for allocating RM250 million towards the FTES.

He said the scheme includes a stipend of RM15,000 for students from household with a per capita income of RM1,500 or below per month.

“Out of this RM15,000, RM5,000 will be specifically for accommodation. This will be channelled directly to the Residential or Housing unit at each participating Sarawak institute of higher learning to manage on behalf of the students.

“The remaining RM10,000 will be disbursed directly to students’ accounts via SPay Global,” he said.

On the free laptop and book voucher initiatives, he said as of October this year, the government had successfully distributed 10,427 laptops and 4,364 book vouchers to eligible students across all higher learning institutions nationwide.

At a press conference later, Sagah clarified that the initial RM450 million estimation for FTES had been adjusted to RM250 million after a detailed assessment of the actual number of eligible students.

“The RM450 million was an early rough estimate assuming every Sarawakian would be going to university. A more realistic calculation showed that the number of students eligible to pursue tertiary education was significantly lower than projected.”

He also noted that the earlier estimate included students already enrolled in the four participating Sarawak-owned institutions.

“That’s why the amount has been trimmed, but it does not affect the approved courses,” he added.