The University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) has announced that it will formally submit its plan to set up a Faculty of Medicine to the Sarawak state government in July 2026. If given the green light, the new faculty—based at UTS’s main campus in Kota Samarahan—plans to welcome its first cohort of medical students by 2028.

UTS vice-chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr Liew Chin Tong noted that this initiative is integral to the university’s wider efforts to tackle Sarawak’s ongoing shortage of healthcare workers, particularly in rural and interior communities. “Our goal is to train local physicians who are well-versed in the specific health needs of Sarawak’s varied populations,” he stated.

Key elements of the proposal include:
• A dedicated pre-clinical teaching facility on the Kota Samarahan campus, featuring modern anatomy and simulation laboratories.
• Hands-on clinical rotations at Sarawak General Hospital and various district hospitals throughout the state.
• An MBBS-equivalent programme crafted in collaboration with the Malaysian Medical Council and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency.
• Scholarship and sponsorship opportunities aimed at students from underserved rural districts.

The university has already initiated consultations with the Ministry of Health, private sector stakeholders, and community representatives. UTS is also assessing the possibility of building a teaching hospital adjacent to its campus to serve as both a central clinical training venue and a referral centre for the region.

Sarawak’s Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research, Datuk Rosey Yunus, expressed her support for the proposal. “This project aligns with the state’s long-term vision to reinforce our healthcare workforce. We anticipate reviewing UTS’s detailed proposal in mid-2026,” she commented.

If the state cabinet endorses the plan next year, UTS will promptly begin recruiting academic staff, finalising the curriculum, and commencing construction of the necessary infrastructure. Meanwhile, the university intends to launch outreach programmes in secondary schools across Sarawak to scout and prepare local talent for medical education.

By establishing its own Faculty of Medicine, UTS aims not only to boost the number of doctors trained within the state but also to drive research into health issues that disproportionately impact East Malaysia, including rural infectious diseases, tropical medicine, and public health in remote communities.

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