M4M Conference to create awareness on 21st century skills among youth

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 -- Creating awareness and educating students and youth on the need to master 21st century skills will be among matters to be focused during the Minds For Malaysia (M4M): Bridging The Skills Gap Conference.

M4M chairman Senator Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian said it was very important for youth to master the skills to increase employment opportunities in any field, apart from starting a business in the future.

"Mastery of these skills (21st century skills) is crucial for their marketability in securing employment opportunities and building businesses through start-ups for a better future," he said in a statement today.

According to Jaziri Alkaf, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu will deliver a speech at the closing of the conference organised by Yayasan MyProdigy in collaboration with Thriving Talent and Saya Anak Malaysia. 

The M4M conference this Saturday, which will be officiated virtually by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad will feature Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who has agreed to share his experiences and views in a special virtual interview that day.

Former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor will also be keynote speakers at the event as part of the effort to educate youth on the importance of mastering digital innovation in entrepreneurship to empower the group.

Jaziri Alkaf said the online conference would include distinguished panel members from the industry, institutions of higher learning and government agencies to share experiences and advice on the importance of soft skills to potential employers.

He said local and international experts including from Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia and representatives of the United Nations (UN) have also been invited as panelists.

In addition, Jaziri Alkaf said M4M's effort in collaborating with various parties from both the public and private sectors was to promote the importance of digital innovation and entrepreneurship among students and youth nationwide.

To date, he said about 10,000 participants from Malaysia and around the world have registered for the conference.

-- BERNAMA