Unimas surpasses student population target

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KOTA SAMARAHAN: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) has exceeded their student population target by enrolling more than 16,000 students for the 2013-2014 intake.

The target according to Unimas vice-chancellor Professor Dato Dr Kadim Suaidi was to reach a minimum population of 15,000 students in 2015.

“This only shows that Unimas is the university of choice for all Malaysians,” Kadim told a press conference during the welcoming of students for the Sept 2013-2014 intake at Unimas’ Kolej Cempaka yesterday.

He also said that the university only selects 4,450 students out of the 49,000 applicants for placements in institutes of higher learning (Ipta) for the Sept 2013-2014 intake.

“Almost 70 per cent of the students for this intake are females,” Kadim said, adding that around 2,500 students will be studying in the Faculty of Cognitive Science and Human Resource, Faculty of Economy and Business, Faculty of Social Science and Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts.

Another 1,500 students he said will be studying in the Faculty of Information and Computer Science, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science and Faculty of Engineering.

Around 450 enrolled for postgraduate studies or Masters degree.

He also said that Unimas is currently seventh (7th) in the Malaysian university rankings and is placed between the rank of 170 and 180 in Asia.

On another note, he also said that this intake will see a total of 85 new international students.

“The quota for international students is only five per cent of the total Malaysian students. They can enrol themselves at any faculties except the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science which is only for Malaysians due to limited space,” said Kadim.

He also said that most international students are from Indonesia and China while the rest are from countries in the Middle East and Africa.

Also present to welcome the new students yesterday were Unimas deputy vice-chancellor (International and Academic) Prof Dr Fatimah Abang, Unimas deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Dr Peter Songan and Unimas deputy vice-chancellor (Students Affairs and Alumni) Prof Fadzil Abdul Rahman.

Meanwhile, the welcoming week will include many exciting activities and programmes as well as an oath taking which is expected to be graced by the Minister of Women, Welfare and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah on Sept 6.

On Sept 7, Unimas will also be organising a cultural show (Malam Rumpun Budaya) on campus.