KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) — A total of 312 Malaysian Indian youth completed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes at 16 leading institutions in China, including Chongqing Industry Polytechnic University and Linyi Vocational University of Science and Technology.
National Organisation of Skilled Workers (Belia Mahir) president Mohammad Rizan Hassan said the graduates were honoured at the Malaysia–China Youth TVET Training (MCYTT) Appreciation Ceremony organised by the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) for 2024/2025.
He said the MCYTT-MITRA programme demonstrates how government policy translates into opportunities for youth, particularly in an era where technology is reshaping lifestyles, mindsets and employment.
“The MCYTT-MITRA participants are among the fortunate, gaining early exposure and real-world experience in how technology drives the new world,” he said at the International Youth Centre (ITC) here today.
The ceremony was jointly organised by MITRA, the Malaysia–China Institute (MCI), Belia Mahir and TANG International Education Group (China), and officiated by Malaysian Youth Council deputy president Mohamed Khairul Azman Abdul Azeez.
During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Belia Mahir and the Malaysian Indian Youth Council (MIYC), marking a step towards more structured and impactful talent development for Malaysian Indian youth.
Mohammad Rizan also thanked Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, chairman of the National TVET Council, for providing clear direction to position Malaysia as a regional leader by developing a highly skilled, globally minded workforce ready to embrace new technologies.
He noted that Ahmad Zahid initiated youth deployment to China with a quota of 5,125 participants, including 500 Malaysian Indians, and announced an additional 500 spots for MCYTT-MITRA 2.0 for the 2025/2026 session.
“Every face here today carries a powerful message. When we support youth, we are building the country’s future. This is the spirit of Belia Mahir and the true meaning of Helping Youth, Helping the Nation,” he said.
Mohamed Khairul Azman, also a member of the National TVET Council, said the MCYTT–MITRA programme shows how national policy translates into tangible benefits, particularly in High Growth High Value (HGHV) industries shaping the future.
“These include artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, electric vehicle (EV) and automotive technology, mechatronics and industrial automation, semiconductors and electronics, digital commerce, as well as other critical industrial technologies,” he said, adding that these sectors will drive Malaysia’s economic growth over the next decade.
He noted the Deputy Prime Minister’s vision is to make TVET a driver of the nation’s new economy, not a second-choice or last-resort option, but a mainstream development pathway.
The MCYTT-MITRA programme also aligns with Malaysia’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the principle of no one left behind, giving Indian youth opportunities to escape poverty, build careers and positively impact their families and communities.
Among the graduates is 23-year-old G. S. Thinesswaran Periasamy, who holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Analytical Chemistry from Universiti Sains Malaysia. He chose to join MCYTT-MITRA in Artificial Intelligence (AI) due to its broad applications and career potential.
“During university, I studied chemistry, but many projects and research involved AI. I felt it was an advantage to gain skills in this field,” he said, adding that he has already received a job offer from an industry company.
— BERNAMA