Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) needs to position itself as a global-class TVET entrepreneurial university to empower graduates in line with the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35).
He stated that UiTM needs to focus on entrepreneurship training to produce graduates who not only have professional skills, but are also capable of creating job opportunities.
The unemployment rate among Bumiputeras is currently at 4%, which is higher than the national rate. Of the 388,000 unemployed in this country, 70% are Bumiputera youth aged between 15 and 30 years.
Ahmad Zahid stressed that this challenge needs to be addressed immediately because it also opens up space for shared progress. The priority now is to create job opportunities through strengthening the TVET and entrepreneurship agenda.
The statement was delivered when he attended the PuTERA35 Outreach program yesterday.
According to a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), training in entrepreneurship, business and accounting can help produce more entrepreneurs in Malaysia.
In addition, with the support of PuTERA35 through financing, incubation and industry collaboration, UiTM has the potential to emerge as a leading TVET entrepreneur hub in the Southeast Asian region.
As of 2022, only around 7% of companies listed on Bursa Malaysia are majority-owned by Bumiputeras, which is 62 out of 945 listed companies.
