MMTC -- A Revolutionary Life Skill College in the Asia Pacific Region (An Interview with Mr. Peter Chua, CEO & Principal of MMTC)
1. What sets MMTC apart from other institutions of higher learning?
We are a life skill and academic college that provides a 5-year roadmap in our education programs. From the moment of their enrollment, our students are guaranteed career appointments and will be equipped with skills in entrepreneurship. Our curriculum is systematically designed to facilitate student entry without compromising on educational quality.
We believe that life skill and character development should be an important part of academic education. Therefore, we have infused our syllabus with trainings that will teach character development and essential life skill, such as communications.
We have successfully developed an effective teaching method that engages students in the learning process and helps them to develop critical thinking skills. In addition to our educational pathway, we have also developed a entrepreneur business model strictly for our students to duplicate.
In Malaysia, we are the pioneers in building a framework for the creative arts sector, from the creating of human capitals to the operating of downstream businesses.
2. What is your next development after winning of the recent 14th Asia Pacific Entrepreneur Excellence Award 2015?
We are in the midst of developing our very own creative arts hub, which is going to be situated within the vicinity of the Likas Sports Complex, Kota Kinabalu. The building development plan has been submitted to the Kota Kinabalu City Hall and is awaiting further action.
Besides that, we have also submitted the MMTC Early Childhood Centre (ECC): Play School Plus building development plan for approval. If all goes smoothly, the MMTC ECC will be housed in a first-of-its-kind two-storey ship replica building.
3. What is your definition of the Creative Industry?
According to the Creative Task Force established in the United Kingdom in 2001, the Creative Industry is defined as ‘activities, which have their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent and which have the potential for wealth and job creation through generation exploitation of intellectual property’.
Therefore, we have merged several fields, such as Music Study, Music Education, Early Childhood Education and Entrepreneurship to create a holistic transformation programme for the youth, including academically-challenged youth.
4. In your opinion, why is it important for the creative arts industry to be developed?
We strongly believe that creative arts education is capable of developing human capitals with critical thinking skills, despite its unconventional way of development in Malaysia. Eventually, the creative arts industry will become an innovative engine of economic growth and a vessel of structural transformation that will contribute to the wealth of the nation.