BAGAN DATUK: The government will open up 200 places to allow more students from the Indian community to pursue technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in China, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
Zahid, who is also the National TVET Council chairman, said such a move will be implemented after the current training programme involving 200 Indian students yielded results.
"I highly appreciate excellence in education and I do not want to see anyone left behind.
"We know the problems faced by the young Indian generation. That is why I took the initiative to place 200 Indian students to study TVET in China for free.
"If successful, we will strive to add another 200 places for Indian students," he said in his speech at an SJKT school aid donation ceremony at Dewan Dato' Mohamed Jamrah, here today.
At the event, Zahid handed over aid to 720 students from 14 SJKT schools in the district as well as smart televisions as learning aids.
On April 19, Zahid announced that GiatMARA Bagan Datuk will be upgraded to the Malaysia-China Institute (MCI) to train the local workforce in the TVET field, gaining expertise from China.
Following this, he attended the Malaysia-China International Industry-TVET Education Cooperation Program and witnessed the signing ceremony of an MoU between the National Skilled Workers Organization (Belia Mahir) and the TVET-related industry in China, namely Beifang Automotive Education Group and Tang (M) International Education Group, during his official visit to China in May.
Zahid was quoted as saying that 220 Chinese companies are offering 5,125 quotas to Malaysian students to undergo short-, medium-, and long-term TVET training, becoming a 'game changer' in boosting the TVET industry in Malaysia.