Story and Pix by Abdul Ra’ai Osman

BANGI, July 9, 2015 – Johoreans studying in local universities, including The National University of Malaysia (UKM) have been urged to contribute ideas and energy in the socio-economic development of their state  through the Duta Jauhar – or Young Ambassadors  programme.

Johor Menteri Besar Dato’ Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the programme – now in its second year – has been beneficial not only to the students but the local communities.

“It is a major platform for the purpose of implementing projects that will benefit communities in 10 districts in the country,” said Khaled when closing the Duta Jauhar 1.0 congress held at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM campus in Scudai, Johor on 15 May.

Organised by the Johor state government under the supervision of the Johor Education Foundation, 330 Johorean students from 20 public and private universities throughout the country took part including UKM, UTM, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn.

“I call upon the deployment of energy, effort, thought and ideas from  everyone to get together to develop Johor and Malaysia. Every citizen,  every soul. Everyone, especially the students of Johor. Because we can never be what I call ‘a walk-on-by society’. That is; people who just wait-and-see, who only know how to be told and to do” added Khaled.

Adopting the Blue Ocean Strategy, the programme assists youths, students, small and medium entrepreneurs, low-income earners, indigenous peoples and single mothers.

Meanwhile UKM Vice Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali said in his welcoming address, that the government is attempting to create a new generation who not only excels in academic achievements but also individuals who competent, confident, have good communication skills and  are always trying to better himself in any field of endeavor.

Prof. Noor Azlan said with the implementation of the Duta Jauhar programme, it can provide opportunities for undergraduates in line with efforts to produce excellent students with integrity.

Also present at the ceremony were Education, Information, Entrepreneurial Development and Cooperatives Exco Md Jais Sarday and General Manager of the Johor Education Foundation, Onn Jabbar.