Ready for new horizons: Dr Wee and Tan (fifth and sixth from right, respectively) at the flag-off ceremony with VTAR students. With them are Soon (third from right), Kong (second from right) and Lim (far right).
THE opportunity to study overseas cost-free does not often come along for students eager to broaden their horizons. For 60 VTAR Institute students, this rare opportunity presented itself recently.
As scholarship beneficiaries, the students travelled to China, with the first group attending a 10-day exchange programme from Oct 23 to Nov 1, while the second group commencing their three-month courses on Nov 4, which will end on Jan 20 next year.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who is also the TARC Education Foundation board of trustees chairman, said the opportunity to study in China marked a significant milestone for the students.
“The successful implementation of this initiative is a result of the close collaboration between VTAR Institute and Chinese institutions, as well as the dedication of everyone involved.
“China is at the forefront of the global technology sector. We must seize this opportunity to actively learn from them, continuously enhancing our technological capabilities and professional skills,” he said.
He added that as the world shifts towards high technology, it is essential to embrace new knowledge and challenges to ensure that the knowledge gained retains its value.
Noting that 47% of students in China advance to high school while 53% pursue technical and vocational education and training (TVET), Dr Wee said Malaysia is likely to follow a similar trend in the future, with these students potentially earning more than university graduates.
“We must shed outdated mindsets – those with skills can excel anywhere.
“Acquiring a skill will give you a competitive edge over others,” he said when launching a flag-off ceremony for the students’ China study tours at VTAR on Oct 21.
VTAR chief executive officer Tan Cheng Liang said the institute secured 33 places for students to attend the Zhejiang Institute of Economics and Trade in China for a 10-day exchange programme focused on artificial intelligence training through the Malaysia-China Youth TVET Training Programme.
“Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s visit to China (in May) secured over 5,000 scholarships for eligible Malaysian youth in the field of TVET, allowing them to study in China for a short period without incurring tuition fees.
“Thanks to the proactive efforts of Dr Wee, 500 places have been reserved for Malaysian Chinese students,” she said in a press release.
She added that during a visit to Beijing with the MCA Central Political Bureau last June, the institute signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Beijing Huatec Information Technology Co Ltd, successfully securing 27 scholarships for students enrolled in VTAR’s electronics and digitalisation programmes, allowing them to study industrial robotics technology and new energy vehicle courses at Quzhou College of Technology (QZCT) for three months.
MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, along with VTAR chairman Soon Mon Huay and Tan, had led the delegation to QZCT, where they signed an MoU for cooperation with the college, the press release read.
Tan affirmed VTAR’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into its curriculum, including the introduction of an industrial robotics course for students in the electronics and digitalisation programmes.
“This initiative provides them with the opportunity to acquire additional skills. Consequently, our electronics courses are now fully booked,” she said.
Also present at the flag-off ceremony were VTAR directors Lim Kit Siong and Kong Yik Khai.
