KUALA LUMPUR, 26 January 2017 - Entrepreneurship is important for the future development of our beloved nation because we are aiming for education that would lead towards self-employment.This was stated by the Minister of Higher Education, Dato' Seri Idris Jusoh at the MOHE Entrepreneurial Awards (MEA) 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, emphasising on the nurturing of future entrepreneurs to become job creators.

Added Idris, the aim of this programme is to turn Malaysia into a nation of entrepreneurs, and to fulfil the target in Shift 1 of the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint (2015-2025) in creating students who are holistic, entrepreneurial and balanced in nature.

The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) introduced the MEA programme to serve as a catalyst in creating a conducive entrepreneurial ecosystem and holistic entrepreneurship development in the Malaysian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in 2012.

The awards are meant to give recognition to the HEIs demonstrating excellence in terms of promoting entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurship development in institutions, and also in aiming to recognise the importance in developing entrepreneurial mindsets and behaviours in all students as well as in those seeking to become graduate entrepreneurs.

For 2016, the MEA includes categories for Institutional Awards, Best Student Enterprise Award, Best Social Entrepreneurship Project and Best Entrepreneurship Mentor.

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah / Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa