YPM’s Transformation Enhances Socioeconomic Level Of Bumiputera Community

By Noor Soraya Mohd Jamal KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Bernama) -- The Mara Education Foundation, popularly known as YPM, is synonymous with helping Malaysian Malays and the Bumiputera (indigenous) community to enhance their education and socioeconomic levels. Established on May 1, 1969, YPM has remained a primary mover in the nation's education sector and has contributed to the National Key Result Area (NKRA) by increasing the public’s access to quality education. In line with the current changes, YPM needs to bring in the transformation needed to create an effective work culture, said the agency's Chief Executive Officer Dr Zubir Harun. EIGHT FACTORS He said the transformation is needed as YPM has identified eight factors that give rise to weaknesses among Malay and Bumiputera students. "No direction, lack of motivation, lack of exposure in effective learning, weak in Science and Mathematics, weak in English and no access to high technology education such as education portals are among the weaknesses. "Many Malay and Bumiputera students cannot afford to attend guidance classes, have no career guidelines and no access to quality education. These issues are prominent in the urban suburbs apart from rural areas," he told Bernama. MODEL, NEW DIRECTION According to Zubir, based on the findings, YPM has reinforced its model and approach on its direction to ensure that it is in line with the current needs, based on the 10-point strategic plan for 2013-2018. This transformation involves changes in YPM's mission, task specification and responsibility as well as remodelling the agency's structure to boost its integrity. "This transformation came about after discussions were held with non-governmental organisations, academicians and students," he said. Through various programmes, YPM is eyeing some 200,000 students to ensure they reap the benefits by 2014. Last year, only 50,000 managed to reap the benefits. STUDENTS' EXCELLENCE Among the reinforced excellence programmes for students are tuition or extra classes, held in collaboration with Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM), full boarding schools (SBP), high performance schools (SBT) and national religious secondary schools (SMKA) nationwide. "Students from nearby schools were selected to attend tuition classes held at the respective participating schools on Saturday. They will benefit from the facilities in schools, where they attend tuition classes. Attending tuition classes is similar to being taught by expert teachers," said Zubir. He added that students from underprivileged families and under-achievers will be given preference. So far, 27 MRSM, SBT (six) and SMKA (two) are involved in the programme, and from next year, it will include all MRSM, SBP, SBT and SMKA nationwide. "We also sponsor students from rural schools to attend tuition classes. We also provide motivational classes and career development programmes," he said. This year alone, YPM will spend RM3.0 million (US$943,365) and the figure is expected to reach RM10 million (RM3.1 million) next year. EDUCATION PORTAL YPM has also developed an education portal to boost the public’s access to education through the 'online' channel. 'My-PM SCORE' portal is more interactive than others in the market, and it is accessible from any part of the country. More than 100,000 students are expected to benefit from this portal, said Zubir. He said the agency has organised other programmes to assist the Malay community. These include helping students from hardcore poor and poor families and foster children. Another programme organised by the agency is the 'second chance' scheme. Participants of the programme are given a one-off financial assistance and other aid for education. GLOBAL EDUCATION Apart from providing assistance to primary and secondary school sectors, YPM is also extending its transformation programmes to cover global education, with focus on Japan, Korea and China. Zubir said YPM is collaborating with Japanese universities, under the Look East policy advocated by former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1983. As of April 2013, the collaboration has produced 1,018 Malaysian graduates in various fields. Similar collaboration will be extended to Korea and China, said Zubir. In Korea, Malaysian students will be placed in Dongyang Mirae University and will attend nanotechnology, biotechnology, green technology, agriculture engineering and nuclear engineering courses. "Students will be enrolled in a three-year diploma course in Malaysia before proceeding to the second year in the respective degree courses in Korea," he explained. He said collaboration with China is being discussed and is expected to focus on aerospace and business sectors. ISLAMIC INSTRUMENT He said, YPM's transformation will also focus on Islamic instruments and initiatives. The success of YPM's transformation in the first quarter of the year was evident when the agency increased its fund collection from contributions made by various organisations. YPM received 20.4 hectares of land worth RM22 million (RM6.9 million) in Batang Padang from the Perak state government on Feb 13, 2013. Zubir said YPM is planning to set up the YPM Global College University once the government approves the required allocation. Some 8.0 hectares of the land will have a solar farm to generate power and to provide extra income for YPM. -- BERNAMA