KOTA SAMARAHAN: Construction work on Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) new campus in Mukah is expected to begin soon to accommodate the increasing number of students.Director of UiTM Kota Samarahan, Professor Dr Jamil Hamali said the construction would probably start next February.
“We will begin construction as soon as we receive allocations from the federal government. It will be in line with UiTM’s plan to accommodate 200,000 students by year 2015,” he told reporters during orientation week at UiTM Kota Samarahan yesterday.
The Mukah campus which can accommodate 10,000 students is expected for completion by 2015.
According to Jamil, the 500-acre construction site for UiTM Mukah was given by the state government and they are waiting for the federal funds to proceed with the construction.
He said the campus will not only be utilised as a learning centre, but also research centre for UiTM Sarawak to get the professional knowledge and expertise for Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).
“The Mukah campus will be a pioneer in encouraging the rapid development of various SCORE industries in the central region,” he added.
UiTM Mukah campus has been operating from rented shophouses for 10 years, and can only accommodate 300 students.
Jamil said the Mukah campus is expected to accommodate up to 2,000 students per semester.
“I believe that with the presence of the permanent Mukah campus, and also our second campus here (Kota Samarahan) we will able to achieve out target of 5,000 students per semester in UiTM campuses in Sarawak,” he said.
Also present at the opening ceremony were deputy director of student affairs, Associate Professor Wan Akil Tuanku Abdullah and deputy director of academics, Associate Professor Dr Fatimah Bujang.