Mara to award overseas scholarships to top Hafiz, Hafizah
Mara chairman Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the programme would support high-achieving Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students pursuing professional fields such as medicine, engineering, and accounting.
The initiative falls under the Mara Young Talent Development Programme and is open not only to students from MRSM Ulul Albab but also those from boarding schools (SBP), religious schools (SMKA, SABK), and both state and private Maahad Tahfiz.
"The goal is to produce more professional Huffaz who are grounded in al-Quran values and capable of leading in strategic sectors," Asyraf said in a Facebook post.
He added that the initiative aligns with the National Tahfiz Education Policy proposed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi last year.
Following discussions with Mara director-general Datuk Zulfikri Osman and Education deputy director-general Dr Mahzan Teh, the programme will be formally included in Mara's policy.
"InshaAllah, we aim to nurture future leaders and a Khaira Ummah that is outstanding, distinguished, and grounded in Islamic values," he said.
Separately, Asyraf also announced that Mara will sponsor 87 Orang Asli students who excelled in the SPM at its institutions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia expands skills certification to level 8 to elevate TVET pathway
KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry is expanding the Malaysian Skills Certification System to include levels six, seven and eight beyond the current levels one to five. Minister Steven Sim stated this expansion will be achieved through amendments to the National Skills Development Act 2006. 'It aims to elevate Technical and Vocational Education and Training as a pathway that is equal and balanced with the academic pathway in the country's higher education system,' he said during his winding-up speech on the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat. Sim highlighted the significant increase in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia leavers enrolling in TVET programmes, rising from 31.3% in 2020 to 53.6% in 2024. TVET graduate employability also improved remarkably from 87% to 95.6% during the same period. 'In tandem with this, allocations for TVET development have also been strengthened, from 5.9 billion ringgit in 2020 to 7.5 billion ringgit in 2024, proving the government's commitment in elevating TVET as a key pillar of the nation's human capital development,' he said. Regarding the Skills Development Fund Corporation becoming the sole manager of TVET financing schemes, Sim confirmed the agency can finance courses in all institutions registered with the Department of Skills Development. 'This year, 480 million ringgit has been allocated for the scheme,' he said. KESUMA is also improving the Skills Development Fund Corporation Act 2004 to allow financing for skills courses beyond DSD accreditation. 'For example, courses by Microsoft, OSH courses, accreditation by domestic bodies such as the Energy Commission, and international bodies such as the American Welding Society, among others,' he explained. 'With this enhancement, PTPK will certainly play the role of a national TVET fund as proposed,' Sim added. Sim also announced the Gig Workers Bill 2025 will be tabled next week to protect over one million gig economy workers. Nearly 40 engagement sessions with almost 4,000 stakeholders informed the bill's preparation, including 500 online feedback submissions. – Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Unity govt forms technical committee ahead of Sabah polls
Unity government secretariat chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said today's meeting also discussed reviewing the government's achievements and maintaining focus on economic development and the welfare of the people. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The unity government has established a technical committee to study cooperation among its member parties in preparation for the upcoming Sabah state election, says its secretariat chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. In a statement, Asyraf said the decision was made during a unity government leadership consultative council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today. Formed after the 15th general election, the unity government comprises Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), and several independent MPs. However, PH has entered separate pacts with GRS and BN for the Sabah election, as the two coalitions have refused to work together despite Anwar's urging. Sabah BN previously said any form of cooperation with GRS would only be considered after the outcome of the state polls, which must be held by December. PH is an ally of GRS in the state government, while BN sits with Warisan in the opposition. In the statement, Asyraf also said a mid-term review of the unity government's achievements, currently conducted at the Cabinet level, would be presented to the council to assess matters agreed upon while respecting differing party perspectives. 'The meeting also agreed to evaluate the government's achievements and take note of all feedbacks and criticisms directed at the administration,' he said. 'Attention was given to efforts to strengthen the national economy and programmes aimed at improving the welfare of the people.'
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Iraq signs preliminary deal with U.S. Chevron on oil project
BAGHDAD, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Oil Ministry on Tuesday signed a principle agreement with U.S. energy company Chevron. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani sponsored the signing ceremony of the deal "regarding the Nasiriyah project, which included four exploration blocks, and the development of the Balad oil field along with other producing fields and exploration blocks," a statement by al-Sudani's media office said. Al-Sudani said the Iraqi government has been working to attract companies to operate in Iraq while prioritizing the advancement of the oil sector, whether in production, refining, associated gas and natural gas production, or the use of the latest technologies to develop this vital sector. For his part, Chevron's vice president Frank Mount expressed his company's aspiration to work in Iraq, describing it as a country rich in opportunities and endowed with vast natural and human resources. Iraq's economy relies heavily on crude oil exports, which account for about 90 percent of the country's revenues.
