Abang Johari said the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak coalition had decided the state government would cover the tuition fees for these programmes.

The courses would be tailored according to current economic trends and would ensure that Sarawak has the necessary skilled manpower in these emerging sectors, he said.

“Even in construction, we now have the bachelor of science in construction management. This is what we want to implement to equip our youth with the necessary skills for the new economy,” he said, according to the Borneo Post.

He said Curtin University Malaysia will be among the universities to offer courses in new and emerging fields.

“As long as our children are smart, that’s enough. This is our policy: to produce highly skilled people for the new economy we are building today. I am confident that through education, we can eliminate or reduce poverty,” said Abang Johari, who is GPS chairman.

Free tertiary education will be offered next year in undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, law, medicine, accounting, and finance.

The initiative involves three state-owned universities, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, and i-CATS University College.