Women undergrads still outnumber men in Unimas intake

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The undergraduates in Unimas’ September intake of 3,225 taking their oath.

The undergraduates in Unimas’ September intake of 3,225 taking their oath.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Women still outnumber men in the latest intake of undergraduates for Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).

Of the 3,225 who registered for the Unimas September 2015 intake, about 70 percent of them are women, and Unimas vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi admitted this had been trend every year.

He said the Higher Education Minister also showed concern over the matter and called for steps to encourage more men to enrol in universities.

On this year’s intake, Kadim said 475 were pursuing studies in Faculty of Economics and

Business. Breakdown of others: 365 (Faculty of Engineering), 505 (Faculty of Resource Science and Technology), 386 (Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development), 387 (Faculty of Computer Science and Technology), 473 (Faculty of Social Sciences), 415 (Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts), 181 (130 medical and 51 nursing) in Faculty Medicine and Health Science, and 38 (Centre for Language Studies).

“Now in its 23rd year since its establishment on Dec 24, 1992, Unimas continues to make further strides as a comprehensive university,” he said at the oath-taking ceremony for Unimas’ new intake of students at the university’s Detar Putra hall yesterday.

The ceremony was officiated by Works Minister cum Unimas’ mentor minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who remarked that Unimas has proven itself to be among the leading universities since it had won several accolades on the international stage.

Kadim also said Unimas offered a unique learning experience, especially for those from outside Sarawak, and he urged the new undergraduates to learn and embrace their new surroundings.

“Sarawak has more than 40 races living closely and in harmony with each other. This makes the Land of the Hornbills a state rich in culture, traditions, dialects and food, as well as a state rich in flora and fauna diversity and famous for its tourist attractions. I hope you explore this unique experience, which you may not get elsewhere.”

He also advised them to have clear visions, strong determination and high motivation to succeed with flying colours, and at the same time adhere to the rules under the Universities and University College Act 1971.

Meanwhile, among those registered as Unimas’ newest undergraduates were two visually-challenged women: Dayangku Aisah Awang Taha, 22, and Chew Ka Kact, 20.

Dayangku Aisah, who hails from Bintulu, said she wanted to prove to others that she, too,

could succeed like any normal person. She is enrolled in the Language Studies Program (Linguistics).

Chew, from Kuala Kangsar, Perak, is pursuing a degree in the Faculty of Economics and Business. She said her motivation to go to university was her determination to elevate her family from poverty.