Taib inspects site of new university

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READY SOON: Taib (second left) being briefed on the work progress by Wong (left) and Abdul Hakim.

READY SOON: Taib (second left) being briefed on the work progress by Wong (left) and Abdul Hakim.

SIBU: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib saw for themselves the site of University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) at Old Airport Road here yesterday morning.

There, he was briefed on the work progress by Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Dr James Masing, Temenggong Vincent Lau Lee Ming and UCTS vice-chancellor/CEO Dato Dr Abdul Hakim Juri were among those who accompanied Taib during the visit.

Phase I of the project would be completed on July 31, in time the first intake for the foundation studies in May.

Phase I, which covers 30 acres, houses the Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering blocks, Quantity and Architecture centres and the main administration building.

The project is jointly undertaken by Hock Peng Organisation and Naim Engineering Sdn Bhd.

Wong had earlier said UCTS was the culmination of Sarawak’s vision and commitment in establishing a world-class institution of higher learning to spearhead the development and production of technical human resources for the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

He said UCTS was also committed to facilitating students’ access to an affordable world-class university education that nurtures creative and entrepreneurial leaders through broad education in science and technology while combining the career benefit of an applied approach for SCORE-related research and career opportunities.

When completed, UCTS campus will be equipped with the latest state-of-the-art facilities in teaching, learning and research activities necessary in the production of graduates required by the industries within SCORE.

In addition, UCTS will be complemented by its own Technology Park, which will bring about vast research and entrepreneurial opportunities through local and international industrial and education collaborations.

Phase 2 to Phase 4 of the project would be completed over the next few years with the developer working round-the-clock to ensure that everything is completed on schedule.