PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Cooperative College (MKM) will be transformed into an institute as an effort towards setting up the Universiti Koperasi Malaysia (Ukom) by 2024.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek said the Institut Koperasi Malaysia or ICoop Malaysia would be the first step towards establishing Ukom and would offer educational, training and expert services relating to cooperatives.
“ICoop will begin operations in June this year in One Damansara with a student intake of 385 and is expected to have 2000 students by 2019. ICoop is already equipped with all facilities,” he told reporters after attending a briefing on the transformation of MKM and a gathering of the staff and students here yesterday.
He said the MKM would work towards building ICoop into Kolej Universiti Koperasi Malaysia before going on to form Ukom.
He said the establishment of Ukom by 2024 had to be done in stages to ensure the quality of the university.
Hasan said he was confident Ukom could be established earlier if all plans went well.
He also said in line with the National Cooperative Policy (2011-2020), the transformation and establishment of ICoop would help the government improve the national economy by building human resource development and revenue.
At the ceremony, Hasan presented MKM Education Scholarships to 36 students. — Bernama