Kuala lumpur: Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) must position itself as a global TVET entrepreneur university to further enhance the accomplishments of its graduates, aligning with the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35), stated Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid emphasized the need for UiTM to bolster its focus on entrepreneurship training, aiming to produce graduates who are not only professionally skilled but also capable of job creation. He highlighted the Bumiputera unemployment rate, currently at four percent, which exceeds the national average. Of the nearly 388,000 unemployed individuals, 70 percent are youth aged between 15 and 30, primarily Bumiputera.
Ahmad Zahid, also serving as National TVET Committee chairman, shared these insights during the PuTERA35 Outreach programme. He pointed out that studies by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) indicate that training in entrepreneurship, business, and accounting can help cultivate more entrepreneurs in the country.
He expressed confidence that with support from PuTERA35, through financing, incubation, and industry collaboration, UiTM can emerge as a leading TVET entrepreneur hub in the region. Ahmad Zahid further elaborated on corporate ownership, revealing that among companies listed on Bursa Malaysia, only seven percent are majority-owned by Bumiputera.
He noted that of the 945 companies listed as of 2022, merely 62 have more than 50 percent Bumiputera ownership. Over the past four years, only one Bumiputera company successfully listed, compared to 96 non-Bumiputera companies. Ahmad Zahid called for reflection on these figures, highlighting the significant corporate ownership gap that needs urgent attention.
He urged efforts to increase the listing of Bumiputera companies in Malaysia, expressing hope for more companies to be listed by the year’s end. Ahmad Zahid underscored the importance of listing more Bumiputera companies on the open market to serve as catalysts for others to follow suit.