20000 STUDENTS TO GAIN WORK EXPERIENCE

The Higher Education Ministry has targeted 20000 students from various higher learning institutions for training under its Industry Centre of Excellence programme for the next two years. This number is based on a projection by the programmes participating industries. Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the students would be trained as early in the first year (for those in polytechnics), while undergraduates would undergo training in their second year. The programme will provide students with an oppurtonity to gain experience. Khaled was speaking at the launch of the Industry Centre of Excellence at Manipal International University here yesterday. Industry Centre of Excellence is a working model derived from the National Graduate Employability Blueprint 2012-2017. It is mean to develop and prepare the desired human capital to fulfil mote technology sharing between the higher learning institutions and participating industries. He said to ensure successful implementation of the programme, 2012 lecturers would be trained under the training of trainer exercise conducted by the various industries.

TUNNEL COULD SPELL DIRE CONSEQUENCES

A MARINE biologist yesterday had cautioned that the proposed 6.5 km undersea tunnel, linking Gurney Drive and Bagan Ajam, may have various negative impacts on the environment. Prof Zulfigar Yasin of Universiti Sains Malaysias School of Biological Sciences said because of such impacts,we have to ask ourselves whether the project is worth it.Construction will have to be carried out in the sea. This will cause changes to its bottomand currents. These will be felt during the projects developmental and operating phases. The project also faces a risk of being abandoned. All these possibilities have to be considered, he told the New Straits Times in an email interview. Zulfigar was commenting on the impact of the project on the marine ecosystem. On the livelihood of fisherman in the Bagan Ajam area, he had raised three major concerns; whether the project would affect fishing grounds, fish landing sites or the route to these locations. Zulfigar also brought up ecological concerns involving areas that support the biological sustainability of fishing grounds such as nursery and grown-out sites. On the construction of the Second Penang Bridge and its impact on marine life, Zulfigar said:We have seen an increase in sediments and turbidity of the waters near Gertak Sanggul, at the south-east coast of Penang. I would like to recommend that the Korean islands, locally known as Pulau Gazumbo Besar and Pulau Gazumbo Kecil and their sand flats on the north and south sides of the Penang Bridge be turned into a nature reserve.These areas are diverse biologically and protecting them will enhance our environment and fisheries resources. The proposed undersea tunnel project is part of four infrastructure projects that the Penang government and announced. The others include the 4.2 km Persiaran Gurney-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, a 4.6km Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu ExpresswayBandar Baru Air Itam bypass and a four lane 12km road linking Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang.