Latest news with #MajlisAmanahRakyat
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Mara students head to UK, Canada, Japan after US visa policy shift
KUALA LUMPUR: Almost all of 200 Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) scholars who were initially set to pursue their studies in the United States have now secured placements — or are in the final stages of admission — at top-ranked universities in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said that none of the students were left behind, stressing that the agency worked swiftly to find alternative destinations following its decision to halt new placements in the US. The suspension was due to growing uncertainty surrounding proposed visa restrictions under the administration of US President Donald Trump. "These are among our brightest students who have completed over a year of intensive preparatory training. We ensured every one of them was placed appropriately," said Asyraf during a visit to the Media Prima headquarters on Friday. Asyraf, who recently returned from a working visit to the UK, said several British universities — including the University of Edinburgh, University of Birmingham, University of Cambridge and University College London — had agreed to reduce tuition fees by up to 20 per cent. "We're looking at savings of between RM105,000 and RM110,000 per student. This represents significant financial and logistical relief," he said, adding that the UK had emerged as a more stable destination for scholars in the current climate. While future cohorts will be redirected from the US, Asyraf stressed that Mara scholars already there had been advised to avoid any activities — such as political demonstrations — that could endanger their visa status. "We understand their emotional attachment to global issues like the Palestinian cause, but they must remain focused on their studies. We cannot risk having them entangled in foreign political agendas," he said. Beyond short-term contingencies, Asyraf highlighted Mara's broader efforts to future-proof its education and sponsorship policies. The agency, he said, now prioritised fields of study that aligned with long-term national development needs and evolving labour market demands, rather than simply accommodating parental preferences or academic trends. "We're asking, will this field be relevant in 10 years? Will it provide the students with meaningful, dignified employment that matches their training?" he said during an interview on Berita Harian 's Borak Hari Ini podcast. He said Malaysia's core issue was not unemployment, but underemployment — where graduates end up in jobs that do not match their qualifications. To address this, Mara has intensified collaboration with industry stakeholders to ensure that its programmes remain closely tied to market demand. "Education must go hand in hand with national economic strategy. We don't want to produce aimless graduates. Our goal is to build career pathways with purpose," he said. This strategic approach, Asyraf added, was rooted in Mara's founding mission to uplift the Bumiputera community. That vision remains central today, not only for overseas scholars but also for the 125,000 students enrolled across Mara's 344 institutions nationwide. Addressing brain drain concerns, Asyraf said Mara had adopted a pragmatic policy that allowed scholars to gain international work experience for up to three years before returning to serve the country. "There's nothing wrong with letting our students work abroad. Most will eventually come home — it's in our nature to return to our roots, our families and our culture." He added that concerns about Mara-sponsored graduates failing to return were often overstated. The agency continues to monitor their progress and holds them accountable through a structured repayment scheme. "The key is responsibility. Even those working abroad must begin repaying their loans. Some contribute as little as 10 per cent, depending on academic performance," he said.
The Star
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Budding technopreneurs have govt's full support, says Zahid
MELAKA: Students undertaking Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) should consider becoming technopreneurs, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said TVET offers promising opportunities in the entrepreneurship sector. Government support is essential in realising such potential, he said. 'We are grateful for the growing trust of parents (in TVET) today. That is why we must find new ways to nurture and transform the mindset of TVET students into future technopreneurs.' Ahmad Zahid said to date, TVET institutions under Majlis Amanah Rakyat have produced 50 TVET millionaires. Speaking at the 2025 National TVET Day celebration, he said as Malaysia moves towards becoming a developed nation, the involvement of all parties in driving the country's progress must be properly coordinated. This is especially to help groups that are often seen as marginalised within the country's education system, he said. 'For instance, the National TVET Council has taken the responsibility to recruit huffaz students to join TVET so that their future can be better secured,' he said, Bernama reported. The Deputy Prime Minister cited examples, including huffaz students enrolled at Universiti Kuala Lumpur's aerospace and maritime affairs faculties as well as at Universiti Tenaga Nasional. 'The response has been quite good (from the huffaz) and we welcome their contributions to building this country,' he said.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
MARA allocates RM10m for MotoExpert Pprogramme
KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) has allocated RM10 million to empower Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the motorcycle maintenance and repair sector through the MARA-Petronas Automotive Entrepreneur Development (PUMP) MotoExpert Programme. Its chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the allocation would enable 30 motorcycle workshop owners targeted this year to receive business financing facilities of up to RM300,000 each. According to him, MARA was also offering RM1 million for structured technical training, in addition to rebranding support and financing facilities for selected entrepreneurs. 'Entrepreneurs will also receive support in terms of spare parts supply, improving the image of their premises and developing a more efficient and competitive workshop operating system. 'MARA will continuously monitor the programme, as it is not merely about providing financing but also involves structured training and ensuring integration with the supply chain network,' he told reporters after launching the programme here today. Meanwhile, MARA, in a statement, said PETRONAS Lubricants Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PLMM) would supply PETRONAS Sprinta brand lubricant products directly to MotoExpert workshops without involving middlemen, thereby enabling entrepreneurs to enjoy higher profit margins. 'PLMM will also assist entrepreneurs in marketing, technical training and fostering collaboration with external industry players,' it said. The programme is open to graduates of MARA's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions or other recognised institutions who have operated a motorcycle workshop for at least six months, with annual sales exceeding RM360,000, subject to an interview-based selection.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
MARA allocates RM10m for MotoExpert Programme
KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) has allocated RM10 million to empower Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the motorcycle maintenance and repair sector through the MARA-Petronas Automotive Entrepreneur Development (PUMP) MotoExpert Programme. Its chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the allocation would enable 30 motorcycle workshop owners targeted this year to receive business financing facilities of up to RM300,000 each. According to him, MARA was also offering RM1 million for structured technical training, in addition to rebranding support and financing facilities for selected entrepreneurs. 'Entrepreneurs will also receive support in terms of spare parts supply, improving the image of their premises and developing a more efficient and competitive workshop operating system. 'MARA will continuously monitor the programme, as it is not merely about providing financing but also involves structured training and ensuring integration with the supply chain network,' he told reporters after launching the programme here today. Meanwhile, MARA, in a statement, said PETRONAS Lubricants Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PLMM) would supply PETRONAS Sprinta brand lubricant products directly to MotoExpert workshops without involving middlemen, thereby enabling entrepreneurs to enjoy higher profit margins. 'PLMM will also assist entrepreneurs in marketing, technical training and fostering collaboration with external industry players,' it said. The programme is open to graduates of MARA's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions or other recognised institutions who have operated a motorcycle workshop for at least six months, with annual sales exceeding RM360,000, subject to an interview-based selection.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
MARA, MOHE collaborate to monitor students in US amid new Trump policies
KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) will work closely with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to closely monitor the situation involving its scholars in the United States following the introduction of new policies under President Donald Trump's administration. Its chairman, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, said that so far, MOHE has assured that the impact on Malaysian students in the US remains minimal. 'We are working closely with the ministry because this is a government-to-government issue. We are concerned about our scholars in the US, as policies can change at any time, but the most important thing is to avoid exposing them to greater risks. 'Alhamdulillah, we hope there will be no adverse effects on our students. Let them complete their studies first. However, for new scholars, we have decided to put a hold on sending them there for now,' he told reporters after the MARA-Petronas Automotive Entrepreneur Development Programme (PUMP) here today. Asyraf said this when asked to comment on the potential impact of the new US tariffs and policies on Malaysian students pursuing education in the country. On June 1, Asyraf announced that MARA had decided to halt sending students to the US starting this year and had begun discussing with students at its preparatory colleges to explore alternative study destinations. This move comes in the wake of the Trump administration's directive to suspend visa processing for all foreign students and considerations to screen new applicants based on their social media activity.
