THE Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) and Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDAC) launched the KPT-MEDAC Siswapreneur programme to help 20,000 entrepreneurs from public universities, polytechnics and community colleges to start and grow their businesses during the study period.
So far, only 14 applications had been received, with seven of them having been approved until last Feb 10, involving a total financing of RM21,000 under the Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (TEKUN Nasional), according to MEDAC’s deputy minister Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
“We encourage students of higher learning institutions (IPT) who carry out small businesses are encouraged to apply for micro-credit financing through an allocation of RM20 mil under the KPT-MEDAC Siswapreneur programme,” Mas Ermieyati commented when met by reporters after handing over Samsung Tablets and Sim Cards to students in Alor Gajah, Melaka.
She cited an example of a student at the Masjid Tanah Community College here who was able to earn between RM40 and RM500 a month selling burger.
“Hence, the student is not only able to ease the parents’ financial burden, but also a motivation to make the business bigger and become an entrepreneur,” she pointed out.
Mas Ermieyati is aware that some parents and guardians do not allow their children who are studying to apply for the loan and as such, MEDAC will hold a dialogue session with the parents and students to explain the matter.
This programme was implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and involved 15 selected higher education institutions, comprising four universities and 11 polytechnics and community colleges.
She added that the programme would be extended to other institutions of higher learning upon request. – Feb 21, 2021
Photo credit: Malaysian Students
