ANNUAL SALES FAIR YOUNG ENTERPRISE PENANG PROGRAM 2022
SPEECH BY YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW
THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
ANNUAL SALES FAIR
YOUNG ENTERPRISE PENANG PROGRAM 2022
15TH OCTOBER 2022
Ybrs. Tuan Abdul Rashid Bin Abdul Samad
Pengarah Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Pulau Pinang
YBrs. Profesor Dr. Md Roslan Hashim
Timbalan Naib Canselor (Kelestarian dan Pembangunan Institusi)
Honoured Corporate Sponsors,
Respected Teachers and Students,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen.
A very good afternoon.
I am honoured to be invited here today for the Young Enterprise Penang Sales Fair 2022. After nearly three years of not being able to gather and celebrate with one another, simply being here in the presence of so many youth of Penang is such a blessing and a joy.
I still recall being a part of the launch of JA Mall in July last year, a programme created as a digital platform for students to hold their sales fair when the Covid-19 pandemic necessitated the suspension of all physical events, including the signature annual event, YE Sales Fair.
Nevertheless, we are glad that now YE Penang is able to bring back this physical event together with JA Mall, for the students to experience both physical and digital sales platforms.
I was made to understand that, following months of guidance and training from JA Malaysia and the corporate sponsor, this two days programme, will provide some 450 students from 15 schools the opportunity to showcase their innovative products to the general public.
Dear students,
I visited the stalls and took pleasure in viewing all of your products. It is truly amazing that, despite the pandemic disruptions you have faced during your schooling period, all of you here have taken on the challenge of balancing education, working at your YE Companies, and on your dedicated products. It is certainly encouraging to see you standing here proudly and enthusiastically selling your successful products today, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your commendable efforts.
A special thanks also goes to the corporate sponsors, advisers, and, most importantly, the teachers, who have supported and guided the students throughout this journey through various workshops focusing on business and product development activities. I am glad that all of you are consistently looking at ways to serve the youth by modifying and revamping up programmes to meet the ever-changing circumstances and needs of the students.
Not forgetting, I would also like to thank Junior Achievement for their dedication to youth education, which has an impact felt not only by us but in over 110 countries. The excellence of this impact can also be seen as JA Worldwide was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year. A nomination for such a prestigious award is a great testament of its value in education.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The development and empowerment of our youth has always been a priority for the Penang State Government. Over the years, numerous programmes have been developed and implemented by state government agencies such the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC), the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC), Penang Institute, InvestPenang, and many others. And as we strive to further advance our youth, rest assured that the State Government through its various agencies, will continue to invest in and support relevant initiatives and efforts.
Having said that, I am truly glad to note that University Sains Malaysia, while having been a supporter of the YE program all these years, is here today to sign an Memorandum Of Agreement (MOA) with Junior Achievement (JA) Malaysia to work together on bringing 21st Century Learning and Values to the YE students.
As part of its mission to 'transform higher education for a sustainable tomorrow,' USM has never ceased to impress us with its passion and commitment to the advancement of youth education, particularly through various collaborations, including with the Penang State Government. Furthermore, it is inspiring to see the spirit of giving back to the society and community that is ingrained in the DNA of USM, which I hope will incite others to do the same.
With that, I look forward to witnessing the signing of the MOA between these two respected organizations, and I hope that this will enable the YE Programme to significantly grow and evolve, providing greater value to our Penang schools and students year after year.
Thank you all once again for making this event a success.