EDUCATION and career development are keys to success for every youth, says state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee.
He said this during the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC), TYMBA Education and Kampung Maqbul Village Community Management Council (MPKK) at Pusat Belia Sungai Pinang yesterday.
“I believe our constant collaborations with different institutions have set a standard for youth empowerment that benefits them in one way or another.
“This time, we have partnered with TYMBA Education to expose our youth to accountancy and technopreneurship.
“The ultimate goal of this collaboration is to effectively prepare our youth for the workplace and I hope we can achieve that goal together,” Soon said.
Soon said PYDC is always looking for strategies to strengthen Penang’s youth in terms of economic, social, and self development.
“I have seen our past collaborations (with other institutions and agencies) helping youth with regard to their education and career development.
“It is worth mentioning that the uniqueness of this strategic partnership with TYMBA Education and MPKK Kampung Maqbul is that students can enjoy physical lessons without the hassle of traveling to TYMBA Education’s campus in Kuala Lumpur.
“Local youths, especially those in the Sungai Pinang neighbourhood, are given an opportunity to channel their desire and talents to develop themselves to be “industry ready”.
“We hope that they would grab the opportunity and be part of the programmes offered by the institution (TYMBA Education),” he added.
TYMBA Education chief executive officer (CEO) Muhamad Airil Razali thanked PYDC for the partnership as well as for helping them to initiate a branch in Penang.
“TYMBA, which consists of a group of chartered accountants, aims to empower youths through education.
“We envision to increase the number of chartered accountants to 60,000 by the year 2030.
“We have collaborated with Xero, an international cloud computing company specialising in accounting software,” Muhamad Airil said
Muhamad Airil said TYMBA Education’s subsidiary, TYMBA Skills (a non-governmental organisation) would be offering skilled-based digitalised programmes with a minimal fee.
“We want education to be made affordable for everyone. So, we are providing our one month-long accounting software programme for as low as RM50.
“Apart from that, the Microsoft certification programme will also be available at around RM100.
“We desire to give quality education to our children which is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
“The actual cost for the accounting software would be around RM600 while for the Microsoft programmes would cost them over RM1,000.
“At the same time, we would like to affirm here that we will not waste the opportunity given to us and will make sure it’s a fruitful one,” he added.
Meanwhile, PYDC general manager Dr Gwee Sai Ling said the Pusat Aktiviti Sungai Pinang (Dewan MPKK Kampung Maqbul) was launched in March this year.
“Following the launch of the Pusat Belia Sungai Pinang at the MPKK Kampung Maqbul hall, we wanted the centre to be actively conducting youth-related programmes.
“We also want to urge other agencies and academia to look forward to a similar collaboration with PYDC,” Gwee added.
MPKK Kampung Maqbul chairman Muhamad Nayim thanked PYDC for using the hall and warmly welcomed the collaboration.
“We are using this hall to conduct tuition classes for the children in this area.
“Previously, it was also used as the place to collect and gather foodstuffs during the Covid-19 crisis.
“I am glad that the hall will be fully utilised to conduct programmes for the youth,” Nayim said.
Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim said education is given access to all, regardless of race and religion.
“The kids here will be able to receive knowledge through this collaboration. And if there is any problem in terms of the fees, we are ready to help them,” Lim said.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis