Kuala Lumpur, 2 May 2026 – Hong Leong Foundation has awarded a significant scholarship fund to the German-Malaysian Institute (GMI), enabling 35 students to advance their Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The contribution was announced during the Malaysia & German Industry Synergy Circles session, held in conjunction with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) 60th Anniversary Celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
YBhg. Dato’ Zulfikri Osman, Director-General of MARA, witnessed the symbolic mock cheque presentation from Ms Quek Sue Yian, Executive Director of Hong Leong Foundation to GMI’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mr Ahmad Solihin Mohamed Yusoff.
Commenting on the scholarship fund, Mr Ahmad Solihin noted that the fund demonstrates growing private sector confidence in GMI’s ability to develop highly skilled, industry-ready talent.
‘The future is an unknown phenomenon, and our responsibility is to equip our generation with more than just immediate technical skills. At GMI, we focus on cultivating the resilience and passion necessary for them to pivot as AI reshapes the global workforce. We aim to ensure that every student, particularly those from B40 backgrounds, possesses the agility to evolve alongside technology rather than face displacement,’ he said.
Expanding Industry-Academia Collaboration
The event also facilitated the exchange of strategic documents between GMI and several organisations, including SGB MY Sdn Bhd, Aerospace Malaysia Innovation Centre (AMIC), NR Link Systems Sdn Bhd, SS Rover Sdn Bhd, Platform TV Tuisyen Sdn Bhd, and Akademi Integrasi Antaranusa.
These partnerships will broaden student opportunities through internships, research and development (R&D), academic exchanges, and enhanced employability pathways.
Driving Industry Engagement Through Knowledge Sharing
The Malaysia & German Industry Synergy Circles session featured seven business pitching presentations from Vice Presidents, Chief Executive Officers, Managing Directors, and Top Management of leading organisations. Participants included PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Malaysia, Siemens Malaysia Sdn Bhd, SGB MY Sdn Bhd, Volkswagen Group Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Ciba Vision Johor Sdn Bhd (Alcon), NR Link Systems Sdn Bhd, and SS Rover Sdn Bhd.
These sessions highlighted emerging technologies, technical capabilities, and potential collaboration opportunities, thereby strengthening linkages between industry and education.
Strengthening the Industry Advisory Council
In line with MARA’s agenda to reinforce academia-industry alignment, GMI has appointed two new members to its Industry Advisory Council (IAC): Mr Azli Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer of Gas Malaysia Berhad; and Mr Andrew Morrow, Managing Director of SGB MY Sdn Bhd.
The expanded IAC will play a pivotal role in ensuring that GMI’s programmes remain aligned with evolving industry needs and global standards.
Celebrating Six Decades of MARA’s Leadership
For six decades, MARA has stood as a pillar of Bumiputera human capital development, elevating TVET as a national strategic priority under its cores of entrepreneurship, education, investment and services. MARA has placed its trust in GMI for 35 years in TVET and in the power of industry to shape education and future generations. GMI warmly congratulates MARA on its 60th anniversary and looks forward to many more decades of impactful contributions to the nation.
