Dr Maximus greeting students of Kota Marudu Community College.
KOTA MARUDU: One of the main pledges to increase the education infrastructure and opportunities for the people of Kota Marudu has been fulfilled with the setting up of the Kota Marudu Community College.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili, who is also Kota Marudu MP, said the community college, which started its courses recently, was one of the election pledges he undertook for the constituency four years ago.
“The college which was set up to cater to the training needs of youths not only in Kota Marudu but surrounding areas, will assist to develop the community and propel Kota Marudu to become the economic hub of northern Sabah,” he said.
Dr Maximus added that the college recently started running courses starting with training in maintenance of air conditioners and would begin to offer a course in building maintenance next year.
“Those who have undergone courses in the college can go on to pursue diploma courses at polytechnics and onwards to tertiary education at universities.
“This is an opportunity I hope the youths of Kota Marudu and surrounding areas will take up,” he said after presenting appointment letters to six of the 11 members of the college’s advisory committee on Monday.
He also chaired the first meeting of the committee whose role is to provide inputs to the college on matters pertaining to its programmes and courses as well as assist in spreading awareness on the college among the community.
“The community college plays an important role to assist youths who stopped pursuing their education after their SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia).
“The students are also given allowance of RM300 monthly based on their family income.
“The committee hopes that the college will be able to offer more courses that will provide students with skills that fulfil not only the needs of the industry but also the local community so that they can easily use their skills to earn a better living,” Dr Maximus said.
He added that the committee hoped that more local people could be appointed as lecturers or for administration tasks at the college.
As many of the students come from poor rural families, Dr Maximus is subsidising the registration fee of RM200 for 10 of the students from the latest intake to ensure they could fully take advantage of the training opportunity at the government college.
The 11 members of the advisory committee chaired by Dr Maximus include state Community Development and Consumer Affairs Assistant Minister Datuk Anita Baranting, Kota Marudu district officer Sualim Sanan, Sabah Customs director Datuk Dr Jonathan Kandok, Kota Marudu Farmers Association chairman Datuk George Sangkin, Matunggong Community Development Leader Julita Majungki, and Dr Maximus’ special officer Hendrus Anding, who received their appointment letters.
The other members are Kota Marudu Umno division chief Datuk Wetrom Bahanda, Kota Marudu education officer Jidin Janaun, Matunggong sub-district officer Bianus Kantong and Kota Marudu Chinese Chamber of Commerce chairman Lu Kim Yen.