KUCHING: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) is planning to upgrade Institut Kemahiran Mara (IKM) Bintulu into a regional-level energy education hub.
Mara Chairman Datuk Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said IKM Bintulu will focus on new energy sectors as well as fossil-based energy such as oil and gas.
He said this initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the role of IKM in producing skilled workers who meet the current and future needs of the energy industry.
“We are working on elevating IKM Bintulu as a regional education centre in energy fields, including oil and gas and new energy such as hydrogen, among others,” he said to reporters after paying a courtesy visit to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex here Tuesday.
According to Dr Asyraf, the master plan to develop IKM Bintulu as an energy hub is being finalised, with about 60 per cent of it already completed.
“God willing, we will launch it before the end of this year. Once the master plan is fully completed, we will allow a three-month period for refinement,” he explained.
He emphasised that Mara’s goal is not only to produce skilled local graduates but also to develop industry players who are competitive at the international level.
