New programs for UCAM to attract more rural students
PUTRAJAYA: The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) is proud with the achievement of the Malaysia Agroscience University College (UCAM) for producing new graduates who are mostly from the rural areas involved in the agriculture field, said RISDA chairman Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin.
"Besides trying to find a job that suits them, we also also ready to help the graduates generate income through entrepreneurship. This move is to encourage them to live more independently, including through the RISDA Young Generation Entrepreneur Program in collaboration with UCAM. We hope that through this program the graduates can engage in the agriculture field, thus become farming entrepreneurs," he told reporters after attending the UCAM convocation ceremony here on Thursday.
Zahidi said to attract more rural young people to enter the college university, RISDA would add several new programs that meet the latest market requirements.
He said the new programs planned are fashion design, culinary, hospitality and hotel management.
"We intend to expand the number of courses in the UCAM without limiting to the agriculture and plantation fields only. We will add some new programs such as the hospitality as there are students who are interested in becoming chef like famous chef, Chef Wan who was born in Felda.
"In addition, we are also keen to explore Islamic fashion as this field is now growing rapidly. We do not want to be left behind and will train the rural communities who are interested to participate in the program," he said.