Opening doors for the Penans
EDUCATION and employment t – these are magical words to youths living in Sarawak’s remote communities, devoid of opportunities.
A UCSI University team recently ently decided to open a channel for Penan youths in Long Lamai to o receive education and employment - in tourism and hospitality ty through a scholarship programme. mme.
The Malaysian Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Education ation (MYCENTHE) was launched by UCSI University to serve as the e driving force behind its Entry Point Project 10, one of 131 projects under the Government’s nt’s Economic Transformation Programme. The initiative had identified 12 National Key Economic Areas, including tourism re, and hospitality, healthcare, agriculture, financial services, and oil, gas and energy.
MYCENTHE aims to provide at least half of the country’s tourism and hospitality staff with diploma qualifications to meet the increasing need for a qualified workforce in the industry. It works through collaborative - partnerships with public and private sectors through educational institutions ns like Universiti Malaysia Sabah, , Universiti Teknologi Mara, Taylor’s University and KDU University College.
“Tourism and hospitality is a thriving industry,” says UCSI University vice-president Assoc Prof Dr Wong Kong Yew, who is also MYCENTHE chairman and a tourism economics specialist. “We wanted to ensure that no one is deprived the opportunity of a career in tourism. Then we realised the interiors are left out of our plans after hearing the difficulty of accessibility that students like Zuel Sammy faces. It is just too costly for these students to come all the way to KL to attend interviews for scholarships or employment; it is tantamount to us going for such interviews overseas.”
The UCSI team made a twoday trip to Long Lamai, the most remote Penan settlement in the Baram district in interior Sarawak, to give presentations to youths and parents on the prospects of a career in tourism and hospitality.
Some 100 villages throughout the country will benefit from these scholarships; three potential candidates will be sourced from each village by 2015.
“A practical work-based curriculum ensures that once a student finishes his education, he can start work in a supervisory capacity instead of starting from the bottom rung,” says Dr Wong. “The industry itself becomes a learning classroom. This is an effective way to ensure a student receives quality education in a challenging environment that prepares him to handle the real world upon graduating. This also ensures we have a steady supply of capable graduates to meet the needs of a booming industry.”
Some 20 youths applied for the sc scholarships which involved aptitude and English competency tests. One student stood out. With his dyed hair, clear brown eyes and artistic skills, Hevasly Ronalois William, 22, was a natural choice.
“H “He is mature, speaks well, and gave good reasons for wanting to enrol in the programme to bring improvements to his village, which is in line with our objective,” says Dr Wong.
“W “When I asked him about art, his face lit up. He is a perfect fit for one of our partners, the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV). There is no one better than a Penan youth to manage SCV’S Penan section, to promote his own community, values, culture and heritage.”
The team visited Hevasly’s longhouse commune to deliver the good news to his father, William, who op operates a boat and his mothe mother, Saloma Gasi. Hevasly’s finely d detailed pencil sketches of local a artistes and Hollywood stars are pas pasted all over the wooden walls.
“I w want to study but my family ily can cannot afford to finance me. I would really like to work as I want to chan change my family’s life and enable my three younger siblings to finish their studies,” says the soft-spoken youth, his face flushed with excitement at this unexpected turn in his life.
The scholarship, worth RM45,000, covers tuition fees, resettlement and return flight tickets, and living costs. A PTPTN loan will further support living expenses of up to RM500 monthly. Hevasly will also be drawing a salary from SCV.
A scholarship was also awarded to Martyne Musa, 23, who would be based at the new Pullman Kuching Hotel.
“She is very shy and needs to enrol in intensive English classes. But we have seen many students like her blossom when given the opportunity. She has some work experience at the Shangri-la Tanjung Aru under a previous Yayasan Sabah scholarship, so this would be another step for her to move forward,” says Dr Wong.