KUALA LUMPUR: Equipping students with professional skills and enhancing competitiveness to change their families' future is at the core of MCA education efforts, says Datuk Chong Sin Woon.
The MCA secretary-general said the party held a long-standing conviction that "no matter how poor we are, we must not be poor in education," viewing it as the key to changing destiny.
"From establishing Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) to provide opportunities for further studies to all races, especially Chinese youths, to setting up VTAR Institute for technical and vocational education closer to industry needs, education has always been our central mission," he said.
Chong noted that VTAR Electrical and Electronic programmes recently received a five-star rating from the Skills Development Department (JPK).
"We believe nurturing students to master professional skills so they can change their future is the fundamental goal of our educational efforts. We build education through institutional structures, develop talent through resources and prove our perseverance through results.
"MCA will ensure the Chinese community has dignity, space and a future. Education is the foundation, culture is the soul and rights are the safeguard. This is the historical responsibility MCA has shouldered for 77 years," he said during the MCA 77th anniversary celebration at Wisma MCA on Saturday (March 7).
Chong said that since independence, Malaysia had existed as a multi-ethnic nation and MCA had experienced various phases of power over six decades, from being in Government to serving in the Opposition.
"Yet throughout this period, we held firmly to one principle. While we uphold national unity and harmony, we are committed to preserving Chinese cultural traditions and living peacefully with other communities while building this nation together," he said.
He stressed that MCA is the only Chinese-based political party in Malaysia with a constitution clearly stating it will defend the rights of the Chinese community.
"Therefore, the affairs of the Chinese community are the affairs of our party. No matter who is in power, MCA will always be the first voice to stand up for the Chinese community whenever its rights are challenged, neglected or treated unfairly," he added.
