Latest news with #BestStudentoftheYear
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
A future full of possibilities
Congratulations: Dr Wee (second left) sharing a light moment with graduates as Tan (left) looks on at the 27th VTAR Institute convocation in Kuala Lumpur. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star Proud day for parents as 336 VTAR students graduate KUALA LUMPUR: Not every success story starts in a university, as the proud graduates of VTAR Institute are proof that skills training can also turn dreams into reality. Among the graduates at the 27th convocation of VTAR Institute was 26-year-old bakery chef G. Logesvani Dhurga from Kepong, who finally experienced the joy of walking across a graduation stage. After five years working in a central kitchen and earning her Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) Level 3 certificate from the National Youth Skills Training Institute, the Covid-19 pandemic denied her a formal ceremony, until now. 'Now I finally know what it feels like to walk across the stage and have my efforts recognised,' beamed Logesvani with pride after receiving her Diploma in Bakery and Pastry. She credited VTAR's practical courses and industry-savvy lecturers for sharpening her skills. 'The knowledge and skills I gained here are instrumental in helping me climb further in my career. Earning this diploma gives me confidence, more opportunities for higher salaries and better prospects ahead,' she added. For 22-year-old Tang Jian Hao from Yong Peng, Johor, the day was doubly sweet as he was named Best Student of the Year 2024. Holding an SKM Level 3 in Electronics Equipment and now pursuing Level 4, Tang reflected on his journey from 'knowing nothing to being able to contribute to society'. He singled out a three-month study stint in China as a transformative experience. 'It was an eye-opener. I never thought I'd get the chance to go abroad to learn,' he said, thanking VTAR chief executive officer Tan Cheng Liang for making it possible. In his speech, Tang also expressed gratitude to his family and urged his peers to embrace the future with the skills they had gained. Lim Choo Shi, 20, from Kepong, said she was delighted to pursue her passion for baking at the institute. 'It's practical to study here. Many recommended it, and the fees are affordable without burdening my parents too much,' she said. VTAR not only taught her to bake, but also gave her business skills to one day run her own bakery. VTAR board adviser Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong commended the institute's embrace of technology and international exposure, including sending students to China for training. 'We are committed to aligning our programmes with the latest industry demands, ensuring our graduates are well prepared for the workforce,' he said. Despite governmental budget constraints, Dr Wee said VTAR's focus remains on connecting with young people, especially those who might not fit into traditional academic paths. 'We want them to see a future full of possibilities,' he said. Dr Wee, who is MCA president, added that the party's commitment is to the nation's progress while advocating for the rights of the people and contributing to society's betterment. VTAR Institute is a vocational education institution set up by MCA. In her speech, Tan noted VTAR's growth over its 35-year history, including partnerships with industry players to launch multiple tuition-free programmes. 'These programmes are funded by industry members and successful applicants not only enjoy full tuition fee waivers but also receive monthly living and accommodation allowances. 'This eases the burden on students in need, and I thank all our industrial partners for making it possible,' she said. Tan also dedicated a special tribute to parents by inviting all 336 graduates to rise and bow to them, reminding them to always show gratitude. Also present were VTAR board adviser Datuk Chong Sin Woon, chairman Soon Mon Huay and other board members.
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Wee: Lack of data fuelling concerns over varsity enrolment
Proud moment: Tang Jian Hao, who was awarded the Best Student of the Year 2024, posing with his father Tang Wei Heng and mother Rui Xian Kong. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: There is a lack of accessible and comprehensive data on the proportion of local versus international student enrolment in public universities, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. In calling out the government, the MCA president claimed that the absence of clear data is fuelling concerns that bright local students are being edged out by the rising percentage of international student intakes. 'You're the government now, but why is it so hard to obtain this data? Government data is not easily accessible, and that's the biggest problem,' he said after attending VTAR Institute's 27th convocation ceremony yesterday. Dr Wee warned that the 'commercialisation' of public university placements, coupled with the rise in foreign enrolments, risked side-lining Malaysian talent, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds. Public universities, he said, should primarily serve as engines for nurturing homegrown talent and driving social mobility, not as revenue-generating enterprises. He urged the government to properly fund public universities rather than rely on increased tuition fees, noting that Universiti Malaya received only 61% of the funding it had requested. Due to the lack of official data, Dr Wee said MCA's research think-tank had compiled enrolment figures from each public university over the past six years. He challenged his critics to produce their own figures if they disputed his claims, stressing that his statements in Parliament were backed by evidence. 'When I speak, I do so with facts. If you say my data is incomplete, then show yours, so the truth becomes clearer through debate,' he said. On Friday, Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee accused Dr Wee of trying to paint public universities in a negative light. Lee claimed there were 7,930 Chinese nationals and 41,176 Malaysian undergraduates of Chinese descent in public universities but did not cite his source. He also urged Dr Wee to apologise in Parliament for 'lying' about Chinese nationals outnumbering local students in public universities. Reiterating his commitment to advocating for equitable access to education for all Malaysians regardless of their financial background, Dr Wee said he would fight against the commercialisation of public university placements for revenue. 'In my lifetime, I will fight against this. We were also from poor backgrounds. This should not happen. Silence is not an option.' On Wednesday, Dr Wee cited an Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research study showing Malaysian student enrolment in public universities grew modestly from 172,719 in 2018 to 191,450 in 2024, a 10.8% rise, while foreign enrolment nearly doubled from 10,003 to 19,731 in the same period. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir recently responded to Dr Wee, stating that the government continues to prioritise Malaysians, with no compromise on the quotas allocated for local students in public universities. MCA then urged Zambry to make full admissions data public, adding that the intake of foreign students must not come at the expense of local students.
