Fresh solution for joblessness
ONE way to address the rising issue of unemployment among graduates is for them to be creative and motivated enough to embrace entrepreneurship. Higher Education Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Noorul Ainur Mohd Nur said with the training and knowledge gained from institutes of higher learning, graduates can be independent and become job creators, not merely job seekers.
“The Ministry sees education as a means to self-employment and this is where we give confidence and input on any business and entrepreneurial elements to our students. By creating networks between universities and their faculties and students with artisans and communities, we hope more graduates will become entrepreneurs with goals to help the bottom 40 per cent of the income group (B40) gain employment and be the bridge for expertise at universities to market access for traditional and lifestyle products,” she said.
Noorul Ainur was speaking on the sidelines of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2017 in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) where she had earlier witnessed the launch of the Great Women Malaysia (GWM) Development programme that was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
With a focus in fashion and the lifestyle industry, GWM Development Programme via its ASEAN Great Women chapter, aims to raise women’s role and push them up the value chain through active participation in the economy. This includes helping the women in sourcing product materials such as yarn and textiles, to production and marketing, where they would be made part of a growing network of ASEAN entrepreneurs.
“The women entrepreneurs under GWM would also get to experience working with the art and design faculties in local universities like Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and Universiti Teknologi MARA, to hone their creativity and to keep them abreast on the development in the
The women entrepreneurs under GWM would also get to experience working with the art and design faculties in local universities.” Higher Education Ministry secretary general