ALOR STAR: Elected representatives and local authorities have been urged to provide due support to GiatMARA in developing skilled workers within their respective constituency.
Its chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Mansor said as a technical training institution that emphasised on physical and practical learning, GiatMARA required all the financial support it could get.
He said existing infrastructure in GiatMARA centres throughout the country still had room for improvement in strengthening efforts to educate the country's youths.
"I am not saying that the current situation is too bad, but we could use financial support in developing human capital with technical skills in the country.
"We emphasise on the teaching of skills based on practice, so there are many materials and requirements needed to ensure our students get the best in their training.
"So, we need support from the local government, elected representatives and national economic bodies. Also, GiatMARA should be seen as an asset for the country's technological and economic development," he told reporters after attending GiatMARA Kedah's 2021 Annual Awards Ceremony here today.
Also present was GiatMARA chief executive officer Jabar Azman Jaafar.
Abdul Halim added that GiatMARA had to limit its intake as the additional requests for enrolment had exceeded the allocation it received.
"From an educational institution that was once an `unattractive' option for many, GiatMARA is now seen as an institution capable of producing successful and skilled entrepreneurs.
"We are now one of the top five brands within MARA's subsidiary. The training that we offer also evolving in line with current technological advances," he said.
He added that GiatMARA was working with a Germany-based company to train its students in obtaining an international driving licence.
"GiatMARA students who successfully obtain the licence will serve in Germany through this collaboration between our government and the German government. They will be monitored by GiatMARA and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL).
"We are also into developing 'ground pilots' for national defence drones and we are working with companies in France on this," he said.