Latest news with #MARA-sponsored
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Ahmad Zahid, Steve Reed discuss disaster management and climate change issues
LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi met with United Kingdom Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed on Monday, during which they discussed bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and the UK. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the meeting covered topics including disaster management, clean water, and the need for new technology to enhance the country's preparedness against global climate change. 'We know these issues directly impact human life, so comprehensive approaches must be taken to address how global warming and climate change affect people. 'While river pollution is a thing of the past here in the UK, it remains a problem in our country. Public awareness about this issue must be increased,' he told reporters after the dinner with Malaysian students sponsored by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) in the UK. Also present were MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, 60 MARA-sponsored students, and 40 other guests. During the meeting, both leaders also discussed cooperation in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme and the global halal industry. 'I believe this meeting opens new avenues to elevate Malaysia-UK cooperation to a more strategic level, particularly in building an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future,' he said. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid emphasised the importance of continuously fostering a sense of belonging among MARA-sponsored students abroad, encouraging them to return and contribute to the country. He added that although the average salary may be higher in the UK, students must remain mindful of their role in Malaysia's development, as it is essential for them to contribute to the country's progress. Ahmad Zahid is currently on a four-day working visit to the UK, concluding tomorrow.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Ahmad Zahid, Steve Reed discuss disaster management, climate change
LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi met with United Kingdom Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed on Monday, during which they discussed bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and the UK. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the meeting covered topics including disaster management, clean water, and the need for new technology to enhance the country's preparedness against global climate change. 'We know these issues directly impact human life, so comprehensive approaches must be taken to address how global warming and climate change affect people. 'While river pollution is a thing of the past here in the UK, it remains a problem in our country. Public awareness about this issue must be increased,' he told reporters after the dinner with Malaysian students sponsored by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) in the UK. Also present were MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, 60 MARA-sponsored students, and 40 other guests. During the meeting, both leaders also discussed cooperation in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme and the global halal industry. 'I believe this meeting opens new avenues to elevate Malaysia-UK cooperation to a more strategic level, particularly in building an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future,' he said. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid emphasised the importance of continuously fostering a sense of belonging among MARA-sponsored students abroad, encouraging them to return and contribute to the country. He added that although the average salary may be higher in the UK, students must remain mindful of their role in Malaysia's development, as it is essential for them to contribute to the country's progress. Ahmad Zahid is currently on a four-day working visit to the UK, concluding tomorrow.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Ahmad Zahid, Steve Reed discuss disaster management and climate change issues
Ahmad Zahid speaking at a press conference after chairing a pre-meeting with the Malaysian delegation in conjunction with his four-day working visit to the United Kingdom (UK) beginning today. – Bernama photo LONDON (June 3): Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi met with United Kingdom Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed on Monday, during which they discussed bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and the UK. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the meeting covered topics including disaster management, clean water, and the need for new technology to enhance the country's preparedness against global climate change. 'We know these issues directly impact human life, so comprehensive approaches must be taken to address how global warming and climate change affect people. 'While river pollution is a thing of the past here in the UK, it remains a problem in our country. Public awareness about this issue must be increased,' he told reporters after the dinner with Malaysian students sponsored by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) in the UK. Also present were MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, 60 MARA-sponsored students, and 40 other guests. During the meeting, both leaders also discussed cooperation in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme and the global halal industry. 'I believe this meeting opens new avenues to elevate Malaysia-UK cooperation to a more strategic level, particularly in building an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future,' he said. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid emphasised the importance of continuously fostering a sense of belonging among MARA-sponsored students abroad, encouraging them to return and contribute to the country. He added that although the average salary may be higher in the UK, students must remain mindful of their role in Malaysia's development, as it is essential for them to contribute to the country's progress. Ahmad Zahid is currently on a four-day working visit to the UK, concluding tomorrow. – Bernama ahmad zahid hamidi bilateral relations climate change Steve Reed UK
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
US policy shift an opportunity to explore education elsewhere
LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that policy and systemic changes in the United States (US), including in the education sector, should be viewed as opportunities to explore the advantages of education in other countries. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said this includes exploring new opportunities in the United Kingdom (UK), which has long established educational cooperation with Malaysia. 'We know that MARA (Majlis Amanah Rakyat) has decided to stop sending its sponsored students to the US. My approach is this: when there is a threat, there is always an opportunity. We have to look at the other side of the coin. 'In situations like this, I believe the UK education system, which we are familiar with, can be put to good use,' he said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Committee chairman, said this during a press conference after chairing a meeting with the Malaysian delegation in conjunction with his four-day working visit to the UK starting today. Yesterday, MARA chairman Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki announced that MARA will stop sending its sponsored students to the US starting this year, following the introduction of new policies and directives under President Donald Trump. Previously, the Trump administration issued an order to halt the processing of all foreign student visas and was reportedly considering screening new applicants based on their social media posts. Ahmad Zahid also said he would use his working visit to broaden cooperation in the field of TVET, particularly in exploring new areas such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics and green energy in collaboration with UK universities. 'There are many new technology sectors, especially in green energy, that have already been implemented here and from which we can learn. We hope programmes like 'training the trainers' (ToT), for example, will bear fruit once they have undergone courses here,' he said. Among the key items on Ahmad Zahid's itinerary in the UK are meetings with representatives of leading institutions such as University College London, delivering a public lecture on Malaysia's TVET direction and engaging with MARA-sponsored students.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Three UK universities offer tuition discount for MARA students
LONDON: Three leading universities in the United Kingdom have agreed to offer tuition fee discounts of between 10 and 20 percent for students sponsored by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), said its chairman, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. He said the discounts, secured through discussions between MARA and the universities' top management, could save more than RM100,000 per student annually. The three institutions are Warwick University and Birmingham University, which have agreed to a 20 percent discount, while the University of Edinburgh is offering 10 percent. 'To illustrate, Warwick University is offering a discount of up to £6,000 a year. For a typical three-year undergraduate programme, that amounts to £18,000, around RM110,000 in total, significantly reducing the cost,' he said at a press conference today. Asyraf Wajdi is currently in the UK for strategic meetings with senior leadership and renowned senior academics at the University of Cambridge, as well as several other universities. He said there are currently 1,508 MARA-sponsored students pursuing their studies in the UK. He added that the Cambridge University Trust has expressed interest in collaborating with MARA through a co-funding arrangement for postgraduate research students at the Master's and PhD levels. 'Insya-Allah, if all terms are finalised, MARA could save up to RM5 million through this initiative,' he said. He described the partnership as part of MARA's strategic agenda to ensure Malaysian students are not only competitive on a national level but also on par with their global peers in academic and professional arenas. In addition, he said Cambridge University has also agreed to send a delegation to Malaysia to engage with Maktab Rendah Sains MARA International General Certificate of Secondary Education (MRSM IGCSE). He said the initiative aligns with MARA's decision to establish a dedicated academic feeder pathway for MRSM students to gain entry into top global universities. Asyraf Wajdi added that the collaboration would also open doors for 9,987 MARA educators across its vocational colleges, MARA universities, and MRSMs to participate in knowledge exchange programmes. 'These educators will have opportunities for joint research and to pursue postgraduate studies in strategic fields at Cambridge. 'These include renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI), social sciences, quantum technology, blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), entrepreneurial innovation and other emerging disciplines that will shape the future global economy,' he said.
