KUCHING: A pilot project to train target groups in entrepreneurship will start in Sarawak next month, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said the Kecekapan-RISE project would be conducted jointly by Yayasan Kebajikan Negara (YKN) and the UK-Malaysia Kecekapan Konsortium with sponsorship of RM2mil from the British Council.
"This is a programme to assist our target groups including the B40, single mothers and the disabled.
"It is a practical programme for them to learn skills such as financial literacy so that they can stand on their own feet through entrepreneurship," she told reporters after launching the project here on Tuesday (Aug 27).
Nancy said 500 participants were targeted to take part in the project, which involves a 12-week online course from September to December.
She said there was still room for participation as 250 people had registered so far.
"It's meant for those who want to be entrepreneurs," she said, adding that participants who completed the course would receive a certificate from the consortium.
The consortium consists of the University of Glasgow, University of Aberdeen, Liverpool John Moores University, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaya and Universiti Sains Malaysia.
In her speech earlier, Nancy said Kecekapan stood for Key Entrepreneurial Cognitive Education and Knowledge Advancement Project: A Network while RISE meant Reaching Intellect through Social and Education.
"This is in line with YKN's objective to empower its target groups in education," she said.
Nancy said the modules for the course were developed by the consortium in three languages - Bahasa Malaysia, English and sign language.
She said the modules focused on the basics of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, innovation and creativity, marketing and social media.
"There are also interactive elements such as an entrepreneurial game," she added.
Nancy also witnessed the signing of a cooperation note between YKN and the consortium for the project.
YKN will identify participants from the ministry's target groups to take part in the project while the consortium will provide the course materials and conduct workshops.
