BESUT, Oct 30 — Students in higher education institutions may have the opportunity to prep themselves prior to joining the workforce by participating in volunteer activities once the ‘Gap Year’ programme is implemented.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said during the ‘rest’ period, which is expected to be about a year, students can become volunteers in the country, as well as abroad.
He said the programme was expected to be implemented in the near future and involved students in year two or three, irrespective of courses taken.
“By helping the community, such as working with non-governmental organisations, persons with disabilities and being tutors at refugee centres...maybe it can help them become more mature when they graduate”, he told reporters after opening the Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin ‘Warisan Seni dan Rasa’ community programme here, yesterday.
He added that students involved in the programme would also be encouraged to participate in volunteer work with the police, Immigration and Customs.
Idris had earlier informed the media that the ministry was studying an option to allow university students to temporarily suspend their studies through the ‘Gap Year’ concept, which can be used to undertake other positive activities. — Bernama
