KUALA LUMPUR: Another 500 spots have been allocated for Indian youths under the Malaysia-China Youth TVET Training (MCYTT)-Mitra programme this year, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister as well as the chair of the National TVET Council, said this is part of 5,125 places from hundreds of TVET institutions in the country secured specifically for Malaysian youth.
“The Madani government, through the Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra), has allocated an additional RM3mil to ensure youths can participate in this training without being overly burdened by costs,” he said at an event to celebrate the sending off of participants of the MCYTT-Mitra programme here yesterday.
“Today, we celebrate a portion of that group – 147 participants who will depart throughout September.
“Previously, 175 participants successfully completed the training, with another 178 to follow in October and November,” he said in his speech.
Additionally, Ahmad Zahid said that two universities in China have offered full scholarships to MCYTT participants who wish to continue their studies to the degree level.
The two universities are Taizhou Vocational College of Science & Technology, offering 25 places in Logistics Technology and Tangshan Polytechnic University, offering 20 slots in Electrical Automation Technology and another 20 in Automotive Inspection and Maintenance Technology.
The main requirement is that students must obtain at least Level 3 in the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) Mandarin Test.
Ahmad Zahid said even if some students do not excel academically, they can still prove themselves through the TVET education ecosystem, which can generate a premium salary compared to other fields.
He urged the Education and Higher Education Ministries to ramp up efforts in the education ecosystem through conventional and academic methods.
Meanwhile, Rubine Bashkaran, 23, from Penang, will be learning about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in China, a rare opportunity that came about suddenly.
The food technology student from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin feels blessed to be chosen among the many who applied.
“I got this through my university, so I feel lucky to be given a place as there are many who are still waiting to enter this programme,” she said.
Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia student Kalishwaran Saravanan, from Negri Sembilan, will also be pursuing an AI programme in China.
“I feel happy to join this programme because it will be my first ever trip overseas to further my studies.
“I would like to express my gratitude towards the government and Mitra for making this happen. It is certainly great that such a programme can upskill Indian youths in the country,” said the 26-year-old cybersecurity student.
The MCYTT-Mitra programme is a joint effort between Mitra, the Malaysia-China Institute, Belia Mahir, and the TANG International Education Group from China.
It is the brainchild of Ahmad Zahid as part of a holistic approach to enhance graduate marketability through an international-class “finishing school” concept.
