KUCHING – Mohd Hisyam Sabtu had always dreamt of going to university but never thought it would be possible because he knew that his parents, who are farmers, could not meet the financial demands.
All that changed for the 19-year-old from Bekenu when he stumbled upon an advertisement offering bumiputera students who had completed SPM a chance to pursue an English language program at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus.
Called the English Enhancement Program (EEP), it is put together by Yayasan Sarawak and Swinburne Sarawak specifically to assist bumiputera students who meet the requirements for the university’s diploma or foundation programs but are not proficient in English. The three-month program is designed to improve their level of English to prepare them for these programs.
Eligible students are sponsored by Yayasan Sarawak, and those who graduate from the EEP will be considered for study loans to pursue further studies at Swinburne Sarawak.
Students from outside Kuching, like Mohd Hisyam, are provided accommodation at the university’s fully-furnished on-campus hostels for the duration of the EEP.
“At first my parents were not keen on my enrolling into the program because of financial constraints. But after I told them about the financial assistance provided by Yayasan Sarawak, they gave me their blessing,” said the former SMK Luar Bandar Miri student.
“My family is poor. My parents are farmers. So being given a tuition fee waiver for me to take up the EEP has made a huge difference in my life. Not only have I been given the opportunity to study at an international university, but with the fee waiver, I am now able to focus on improving my grasp of the English language and not have to worry about the tuition fees,” said Mohd Hisyam, who is the fifth youngest of six siblings.
He is the only child in the family to go to university, and plans to enrol in Swinburne Sarawak’s foundation in business program.
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“It (EEP) is an enjoyable learning experience. It was not easy for me at the early stage because I lack the grasp of the language but the lectures are easy to understand. Subjects such as grammar and pronunciation are my favourites because it is on the practical side,” said Mohd Hisyam.
About 40 students have taken up the EEP since it was launched in August last year. They have the opportunity to proceed into the degree program of their choice after completing the university’s foundation or diploma programs.
A full-time program, the EEP is open to all bumiputra students in Sarawak. To be eligible, applicants must have three credits in SPM with a pass in English.
Application for August intake is currently open, and the next intake will be in March next year