GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia aims to create a pool of 10,000 green entrepreneurs within the next two years, in line with its aspiration towards green economy and sustainable development.
Deputy Environment and Water Minister Datuk Dr Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad said the ministry, through the Malaysian Green Technology Climate Change Centre (MGTC), would introduce the Jana Graduan Hijau (Jaguh) initiative in the third quarter of this year.
He said the focus would be on graduates who find it hard to seek employment due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"This initiative is timely with the increasing number of unemployment. We hope that unemployed graduates can explore this Jaguh initiative, where we will provide them with the necessary training towards becoming green entrepreneurs.
"From what we see, young people these days are becoming more and more creative. I am especially drawn to cafes run by young people who utilise recyclable items and natural resources. We must support these people while creating new pool of talents.
"It is our hope that those who undergo the Jaguh training can set up their own businesses or work with the numerous schemes under the ministry. This is important as we move towards green economy," he told newsmen after concluding his two-day working visit to Universiti Sains Malaysia here this morning.
USM is the first university he visited to kick-start his green campus tour nationwide.
Ahmad Masrizal said he would be touring all universities nationwide to increase awareness among graduates on the importance of sustainable development.
"They are the catalysts, enablers and our spokesperson to the outside world, and what better place to start than at universities, in this case USM," he said.
On his visit to USM, Ahmad Masrizal said he was highly satisfied with the campus' commitment towards ensuring sustainability through the setting up of the University Sustainability Council, with a clear direction on where the university should head.
"We know that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin constantly stresses on the importance of environmental sustainability. Even Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah is very concerned about environmental issues.
"And it sure looks like USM is heading towards the right direction in whatever it is doing to ensure a green campus," he said, adding that this included making it mandatory for all its graduates to take the sustainable development course.
He noted that it would be good for other universities to emulate USM's initiatives on this.