Mara Junior College (MRSM) has opened its door to non-bumiputra students. 10 percent places out of the total intake in form one have been allocated for non-bumiputra students. In this regard 260 places were allocated for non-bumiputera students and out of which 144 (55.4%) places have been offered to Indian students in 10 colleges all over the country. They are expected to register at the colleges on 24 February 2004.
MRSM Centres
No of Indian Students
Kuala Klawang, Negeri Sembilan
44
Batu Pahat, Johor
24
Kuala Kubu Bahru, Selangor
20
Terendak, Melaka
18
Kuala Lipis, Pahang
17
Pontian, Johor
9
Lenggong, Perak
8
PDRM, Kulim, Kedah
2
Mersing, Johor
1
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
1
Total
144
Those selected had been presented with the offer letters by Dato Seri S. Samy Vellu, Minister of Works on 16 February 2004 at the Ministry of Works. The students were accompanied by their parents in the offer letter presentation ceremony. Dato Zamani bin Mohd Noor, Chief Director of Mara, officials from Mara were also present in ceremony to brief the students and parents about the MRSM programs.
Dato Zamani, in his speech during the ceremony said that Mara is ready to offer its skills especially in science and technology to non-bumiputera students so that they too would have an opportunity to be better off in those fields like bumiputera students. Different environment and the brilliant brains in MRSM definitely will enhance the students potential in acquiring the best of knowledge and the latest of skills in science and technology, added Dato Zamani.
Dato Zamani also advised the parents to make sure that their children will successfully complete their study in MRSM without much difficulty. Parents' support and care is much more needed not only to school their children but also to instil moral values in them. In future Mara would consider the possibility of offering more places to non-bumiputera students, said Dato Zamani.
Before presenting the offer letters to the students, YB Dato Seri S. Samy Vellu in his remarks expressed his thanks to Mara especially to Dato Seri Mohd Nazri, Minister of Entrepreneurial Development for offering places to non-bumiputera students in MRSM. He added that the opportunity given to the best students in MRSM would help to create more professionals in the field of science and technology. They can compete with professionals from the western countries in those fields.
Dato Seri also said that the government does not want to marginalize any race in this country from development. The opportunities that were specifically offered to a certain race those days are now extended to all races. Our children must grab these opportunities to succeed in their lives. We are in the industrialized and globalised world where people are equipping their brains with knowledge in science and technology. In order to make our country a developed country, our children should be competent in science and technology.
After the offer letter presentation, the parents and students were briefed about MRSM by Hasmah Bt Markom, an officer from Mara. During the briefing, the parents were eager to ask many questions in order to clarify some of their nagging questions.
MIC and YSS will set up a support and monitoring group in 7 MRSM centres to provide assistance and support to the Indian students. YSS officials and volunteers will visit the Indian students in the centres regularly. Besides that, special camps will be arranged for them to further enhance and mould their personalities.
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Phone:
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Email:
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