Kuala lumpur: A total of 312 Malaysian Indian youth have successfully completed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes at 16 premier institutions in China, including Chongqing Industry Polytechnic University and Linyi Vocational University of Science and Technology.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the graduates were celebrated at the Malaysia-China Youth TVET Training (MCYTT) Appreciation Ceremony, which was organised by the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) for the 2024/2025 period. Mohammad Rizan Hassan, president of the National Organisation of Skilled Workers (Belia Mahir), highlighted that the MCYTT-MITRA programme exemplifies how government policies can create opportunities for youth in an era where technology is transforming various aspects of life.
He emphasized the significant advantage the MCYTT-MITRA participants have gained through early exposure and real-world experience in technology-driven environments. The appreciation ceremony was held at the International Youth Centre (IYC) and was jointly organised by MITRA, the Malaysia-China Institute (MCI), Belia Mahir, and TANG International Education Group (China). The event was officiated by Malaysian Youth Council deputy president Mohamed Khairul Azman Abdul Azeez.
A notable feature of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Belia Mahir and the Malaysian Indian Youth Council (MIYC), marking a commitment to more structured talent development for Malaysian Indian youth. Mohammad Rizan expressed gratitude to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, chairman of the National TVET Council, for his leadership in positioning Malaysia as a regional leader in developing a globally competitive workforce.
He mentioned that Ahmad Zahid pioneered the youth deployment initiative to China with an initial quota of 5,125 participants, including 500 Malaysian Indians, and announced an additional 500 slots for the MCYTT-MITRA 2.0 programme for the 2025/2026 session.
Mohamed Khairul Azman, also part of the National TVET Council, stated that the MCYTT-MITRA programme demonstrates how national policy translates into tangible benefits, particularly in High Growth High Value (HGHV) industries. These sectors, which include artificial intelligence, cyber security, electric vehicle technology, mechatronics, semiconductors, and digital commerce, are expected to drive Malaysia’s economic growth in the coming decade.
He further noted the Deputy Prime Minister’s vision to make TVET a central component of Malaysia’s new economy, promoting it as a mainstream development pathway rather than a secondary option. The MCYTT-MITRA initiative aligns with Malaysia’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the principle of leaving no one behind, providing Indian youth with opportunities for career development and positive community impact.
Among the graduates is G. S. Thinesswaran Periasamy, a 23-year-old who holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Analytical Chemistry from Universiti Sains Malaysia. He chose to pursue the MCYTT-MITRA programme in Artificial Intelligence due to its extensive applications and career prospects, and he has already secured a job offer in the industry.