University of Technology Sarawak

The University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) is a private university and state government-linked university as it is wholly owned by Yayasan Sarawak located in Sibu, Sarawak.[3][4]

University of Technology Sarawak
Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (Malay)
Former name
University College of Technology Sarawak
TypePrivate university
Established2013 (2013)[1]
FounderState of Sarawak
AccreditationMOHE
Academic affiliation
ChairmanAnnuar Rapaee
ChancellorAbdul Taib Mahmud
Vice-ChancellorKhairuddin Ab Hamid
Pro-ChancellorAbang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg
Total staff
335 (2023)
Students~2,999 (2023)
Location
Sibu
,
Sarawak
,
Malaysia

2°20′28″N 111°50′36″E
CampusUrban, 96.98 acres (39.25 ha)[2]
ColorsNavy, black, gainsboro, and white
       
MascotAdam
Websiteuts.edu.my

History

The university was established on 1 April 2013 as "University College of Technology Sarawak" (UCTS).[5] It is the first university in Sarawak owned by the state government.[6][7] UTS is considered as one of the newest and latest university in Malaysia. The university is recognised as the only TVET university in Sarawak with the aim of producing highly educated and skilled professionals for new and rapidly developing industries.[8][9] The university held its inaugural convocation on 8 October 2016 with 100 graduates. During the occasion, UTS announced its first chancellor, the Governor of Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.[10]

2021 to present

In January 2021, the university become wholly owned by Yayasan Sarawak, the statutory body under the government of Sarawak.[11] In May 2021, UTS was named as one of the seven most beautiful campuses in Malaysia by a high society magazine, Tatler Malaysia.[12]

The university college was then upgraded into a full-fledged university as "University of Technology Sarawak" on 10 November 2021 by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education.[13][14][15] Sarawak's Premier, Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg was appointed as the first Pro-Chancellor after the university received its full-fledged university status.[16]

Organisation

As of 2018, UTS had 140 academic staff and 120 support personnel. Out of 140 academic staff, 30% of them were PhD holders. A total of 1,800 students were enrolled. A total of 300 graduates were produced in 2016 and 2017.[17]

As of 2023, the university consists of seven schools, namely;

  • School of Foundation
  • School of Engineering and Technology
  • School of Business and Management
  • School of Built Environment
  • School of Computing and Creative Media
  • School of Postgraduate Studies
  • Centre of University Course and Innovative Learning (UCIL)

Admission and education
Main building

For Sarawakian students, UTS is not selective in its admission procedures.[18] All local and non-local students are given full scholarships to enrol in UTS' one-year Foundation course, and those who pursue their undergraduate studies therein are offered 50% scholarships of the cost of their tuition. Students will also receive the 50% scholarship if they wish to pursue their studies for a Master's or PhD. In 2023, UTS offer 34 programmes from Foundation, Bachelor’s, Master’s to a PhD degree.[19]

The main language of instruction in the university is English and for admission a proof of sufficient knowledge of the English language is required for undergraduate students. Students who have taken the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) does not have to sit for the English Placement Test. The placement test only required students who are non-post UTS foundation students and students who do not have MUET results. The English Placement Test is being held during the first week after the orientation week for first year students. The questions consists of reading comprehension, speaking, listening and writing test.

As at most private universities in Malaysia, the academic year is divided into three semesters where the long semester will be held on February and September.[20] Meanwhile, the short semester will be held on July every year for 2 months period. For internship programme, all UTS programmes include 3 to 6 months of industrial training.

Since 2018, UTS runs a Degree Transfer Programme with four leading foreign universities, namely Murdoch University from Australia; University of Essex and University of Birmingham from England; and the University of Canterbury from New Zealand.[21]

Campus and architecture
Interior of University of Technology Sarawak
Exterior of University of Technology Sarawak

Phase One of the completion project of the university was constructed by Hock Peng Organisation with Naim Engineering as joint venture partner.[22][23]

In 2015, the university became the first university in the world to receive platinum award for Green Building Index (GBI).[24][25] The university building uses 50% less energy comparing to a typical building, using technologies such as LED bulbs with motion sensors, harvesting rainwater for ponds, air-conditioning, flushing toilets, and gardening.[26][27] The modern atmosphere surrounded by rainforest and nature will provide the most conducive learning environment for students.[28][29]

In September 2016, Hock Peng Organisation completed its construction of "Unicity", a commercial area that contains hostels to cater the needs of the university students, a hotel, department store, supermarket, and 80 units of shophouses.[30]

Research centres

UTS set up six research centres as of 2021.[31] Borneo Regionalism and Conservation (BORC) is created to conserve heritage buildings, structures, monuments, and socio-cultural documentation in Sarawak and Borneo.

In November 2017, Centre of Excellence in Wood Engineered Products (CeWEP) was set up to focus on R&D on engineered wood.[32][33]

In 2019, UTS created the Centre On Technological Readiness And Innovation In Business Technopreneurship (Contribute) to develop the digital economy of Sarawak and encourage entrepreneurship with the help of technology.[34] UTS also set up the Centre for Research of Innovation & Sustainable Development (CRISD) focusing on research into the fields of energy, bio resources, environment, and materials. Laboratories have been set up to conduct researches into these areas. As of 2019, the university has published more than 354 journals and books.[31]

In 2020, UTS introduced three research centres[35] namely Advanced Centre for Sustainable Socio-economic and Technological Development (ASSET) for research and development (R&D) activities in rural areas of Sarawak.[36] ASSET has designated several rural areas in Sarawak as learning centres, namely Bawang Assan and Machan villages in central Sarawak and Long Lamai, Long Leng, Long Kerangan, Long Urang, Long Win, Long Jenalang, and Long Latei villages in northern Sarawak. Another research centre is Collaborative Research Laboratory on Advanced Cybersecurity Knowledge (CRACK) to conduct R&D activities on cybersecurity in Sarawak. Another research centre is Drone Research And Application Center to spearhead the training, application, and research into drone technologies.

In March 2022, UTS set up a special research chair for medical technology with RM 2 million grant from the government of Sarawak named "Datuk Patinggi Dr Wong Soon Kai Chair on Medical Devices Technology and Innovation".[37]

Student life

Since 2021, the university offers UTS Foundation Scholarship where it covers RM 10,000 of tuition fees for each successful applicant. UTS Undergraduate and Postgraduate Scholarships will bear 50% off of tuition fees for those pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies.[38]

UTS Bursary Scheme was also launched to cover 80% of the tuition fees for B40 (household income between RM 3,000 to RM 6,275) and M40 (household income between RM6,276 - RM13,148) groups who wished to study at UTS, limiting to 100 bumiputera and 100 non-numiputera students.[31]

See also

References
  1. "UCTS upgraded to full-fledged university, huge achievement for Sarawak". The Borneo Post. 23 November 2021. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  2. "University of Technology Sarawak". Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  3. "Universiti Teknologi Sarawak Lakar Sejarah Universiti Milik Penuh Kerajaan Sarawak (University of Technology Sarawak creates history for being the first university wholly owned by the Sarawak government)" (in Malay). UKAS. 10 November 2021. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  4. Luqman Muhammad (10 November 2021). "Sarawak kini miliki universiti sendiri, pacu pendidikan tinggi negeri" (in Malay). TVS. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  5. "UCTS set to become world class institution". Borneo Post Online. 14 April 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  6. "VICE CHANCELLOR'S MESSAGE". UCTS. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  7. "Dr Annuar pledges to make UTS one of best universities around". Borneo Post Online. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  8. "'Employability rate of UCTS grads at 99.1 pct, highest in country'". Borneo Post Online. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  9. "UCTS upgraded to full-fledged university, huge achievement for Sarawak". Borneo Post Online. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  10. "UCTS appoints Taib chancellor at inaugural convocation". The Borneo Post. 9 October 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  11. "Yayasan S'wak now wholly owns UCTS". The Borneo Post. 30 January 2021. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  12. Boon, Peter (14 May 2021). "Sibu's UCTS one of Malaysia's seven beautiful campuses, says high society magazine". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  13. "University Technology Sarawak to be launched tomorrow". Dayak Daily. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  14. Hasnah Jusid (23 November 2021). "Taraf universiti penuh, UTS satu pencapaian besar untuk Sarawak (UTS as full-fledged university is a significant achievement for Sarawak)" (in Malay). Bernama. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  15. "UCTS kini milik sepenuhnya kerajaan Sarawak pemacu pendidikan tinggi di negeri ini". Sarawak News Network. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  16. "Abang Johari appointed as first pro-chancellor of UTS". Borneo Post Online. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  17. Boon, Peter (18 March 2018). "Making UCTS a first choice university". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  18. "After viral TikTok video, University of Technology Sarawak says never denied student from continuing degree programme". Borneo Post Online. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  19. "UTS celebrates outstanding achievements, increased student enrolment". Borneo Post Online. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  20. "High expectations from the first batch of UCTS students". Borneo Post Online. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  21. "UCTS runs transfer degree programme with 4 universities". Borneo Post Online. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  22. "PM to perform earth-breaking of UCTS project". The Borneo Post. 6 September 2012. Archived from the original on 30 May 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  23. "UCTS diyakini siap ikut jadual". Borneo Post Online. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  24. Alena (11 November 2021). "Breathtaking University In Sarawak Goes Viral & It Even has Environment-Friendly Features! - WORLD OF BUZZ". worldofbuzz.com. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  25. Bernama (25 November 2021). "Sibu's futuristically designed UTS campus — sight to behold". New Sarawak Tribune. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  26. Chua, Andy (6 March 2015). "UCTS gets highest rating in Green Building Index". The Star (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 12 August 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  27. "UCTS IPT pertama raih persijilan GBI". Borneo Post Online. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  28. "Sibu's futuristically designed UTS campus — sight to behold". New Sarawak Tribune. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  29. "Dr Hazland: Sibu's UTS first varsity in Malaysia to achieve Green Building Index 'Platinum Index' rating". Borneo Post Online. 3 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  30. "Hock Peng Opens Unicity Sibu" (PDF). The Borneo Post. 13 September 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 February 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  31. Moh, Jane (10 November 2021). "CM unveils bursary scheme for B40, M40 group students to study at UTS". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  32. Genta, Florence (21 November 2017). "CeWEP to focus on R&D of engineered wood". New Sarawak Tribune. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  33. "Enhancing the Development of Engineered Wood Products in Sarawak". Borneo Journal of Sciences and Technology: 1–2. 31 January 2019. doi:10.35370/bjost.2019.1.1-01. ISSN 2672-7439.
  34. Genta, Florence (25 July 2020). "Centre aims to soar high". New Sarawak Tribune. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  35. "UCTS perkenalkan tiga program baharu (UCTS introduce three new programmes)". Utusan Borneo. 29 February 2020. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  36. "Goal 13: Climate Action 2021 Winners". JCI Malaysia (Junior Chamber International Malaysia). Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  37. Boon, Peter (7 March 2022). "Setting-up of UTS special research chair receives Premier's green light, says vice-chancellor". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  38. Chua, Andy. "Sarawak govt announces scholarships through UTS in bid to make education affordable, accessible". The Star (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
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