Starting from September this year, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) will implement the five Excellence Track Programme (ETP) to enhance the professional skills and soft skills among students.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang said, the core areas are the Nobel track for academic excellence, entrepreneurship, sports, leadership and Tahfiz aimed at improving the quality employability of graduates.

According to him, the program will help develop the talents, skills, enthusiasm and creativity of the students which will make UTM graduates distinct from graduates of other universities.

“Each programme will identify 10 outstanding students who will receive an allocation of RM5 thousand a year and only the best will be chosen to join this group.

Students who come to learn in UTM not only study engineering and other specialised disciplines, but their special talents and special qualities will be nurtured and harnessed to its full potential, “he said during the monthly meeting with the staff in UTM, Johor Bahru campus on May 3, 2011.

Dr. Zaini also added that apart from the ETP, UTM has also introduced the endowment programme as part of the initiative to enhance quality of undergraduate studies at the university.

“For the year 2011, UTM targets RM20 million for the endowment funds and a total of 100 selected students will receive the Endowment Scholarship of RM10 thousand each a year to fund their studies at UTM,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor said, by the year 2020, the majority of UTM students will be given a scholarship if the value of RM600 million of savings is achieved and they no longer need to rely on the government for study loans or scholarship.

“This will reduce dependence on government agencies such as the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) which is expected to allocate RM20 billion loans in 2020,” he said.

At the ceremony Dr Zaini received a check donation of RM2000.00 from the Staff Association President Othman Awang as contribution to the UTM Endowment Fund.