ALOR GAJAH: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) and MISC Bhd have formed a strategic partnership to develop more maritime professionals through education sponsorships, industry exposure and career pathways.
Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the initiative aligns with Mara's industrial-based education approach, which seeks to equip students and graduates with skills and knowledge that meet industry needs.
As a start, he said Mara, MISC and the Malaysian Maritime Academy (Alam) are jointly implementing the Mara-MISC Education Sponsorship Hybrid Programme (Mesh-MISC) involving 50 Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) graduates.
"All recipients in the initial intake are MRSM graduates pursuing diplomas in Nautical Studies, Marine Engineering and Marine Electrotechnology at Alam," he told reporters at Alam in Kuala Sungai Baru here today.
Earlier, he launched the Mara-MISC Edu Bridge Programme and presented scholarships to selected students. Also present was MISC Group president and chief executive officer Zahid Osman.
Asyraf Wajdi said the partnership also includes the Mara-MISC Edu Bridge Programme, which exposes MRSM students to education and career opportunities in the maritime industry.
Under the maritime adopted-school initiative, MISC has selected five MRSMs as pioneer institutions for talent development activities, including maritime-based STEM programmes, industry visits and sharing sessions with industry professionals.
"We also intend to establish a young maritime cadet programme in MRSMs. For now, five MRSMs have been selected as pioneers before the initiative is expanded to other MRSMs in the future," he said.
He said the partnership also covers the Mara-MISC Apprenticeship Programme, which will allow graduates of Mara educational institutions to gain industry experience and obtain competency certificates recognised by the Malaysian Marine Department to improve their employability.
Asyraf Wajdi said the collaboration demonstrated the important role Mara alumni could play in giving back to future generations through their industry networks, expertise and career opportunities.
He added that the maritime sector is a strategic industry that requires more Bumiputera professionals and that partnerships such as this could help accelerate efforts to build the talent pipeline.
"Our focus is on ensuring students sponsored under the Mara ecosystem acquire skills and knowledge that are relevant to industry needs and, ultimately, enjoy stronger employment and career prospects," he said.- Bernama
