BANDAR ENSTEK: As Malaysia celebrates its 60th National Day today, it is also worth to note that it is also about celebrating the achievements and the successes of Malaysian women.
Tunku Kurshiah College (TKC) Old Girls Association president Tan Sri Rafiah Salim said Malaysian women have been part of the country's development and will continue to be well into the future.
"Malaysian women for the past 60 years, stand equally tall with the men as it has achieved numerous successes in both curricular and co-curricular fields producing women leaders.
TKC is proud to be at the forefront among residential schools in Malaysia rolling out these successful women and each success has been the result of a combined effort from the teachers, students, parents and teachers association and the Old Girls Association.
And on Merdeka day, it makes Malaysian women feel on top of the world as it is not just about celebrating Merdeka but also producing woman leaders for the country," Rafiah told New Straits Times in an interview recently.
The famed all girl fully residential TKC is well known to be at the forefront of women development in the country churning notable women leaders and luminaries.
They include Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor (wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak), astrophysicist Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman, SME Corp chief executive officer Datuk Dr Hafsah Hashim and so many more.
Rafiah said in the past women are not expected to be dominant in the county but for the past several decades, Malaysia has transformed producing so many women entrepreneurs, doctors, pilots, corporate leaders, accountants, chief executive officers and even a first woman army general.
TKC as an institution which contributes to the nation's future leaders will play a productive role in society as 50 percent the country's population are made up of women.
Rafiah said Malaysia will not achieve high income nation without the contribution of women which is fast tracking Malaysia's aspiration to garner international recognition.
"Malaysia is slowly getting there and I hope that current TKC students will continue to achieve more international recognition producing leaders of the country as well as the world.
Meanwhile, TKC principal Anismah M.Noh said the country's premier all girl school will continue to endeavour to produce the holistic all rounder student to become future leaders with excellent academic credentials as well as a stellar extra co-curricular track record.
"TKC wants to play its part in rolling out women leaders of tomorrow for the country and perhaps the world.
We are vigorously nurturing world class female talents to become successful leaders," said Anismah.
Meanwhile, SME Corp chief executive officer Datuk Dr Hafsah Hashim said the role of the organisation is to help instill the spirit of entrepreneurship among the TKC students which would serve them well later in life as they become dynamic businesswomen partly contributing to the country's economy.