Last Updated: 5 months ago
Kuala Lumpur, January 27, 2026, representatives from various universities affiliated with the ASEANACA Academic Association conducted a study visit to the headquarters of the Majelis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) in Kuala Lumpur. The event, which took place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., aimed to provide participants with a first-hand understanding of the role, function, and operations of this strategic government institution.
Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) is an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneurship Development in Malaysia, established on March 1, 1966, under an Act of Parliament as a legally incorporated and autonomous corporation. MARA was established to advance, promote, facilitate, and implement educational, economic, and community development within the association, particularly in rural areas.
The visitors were officially received by MARA staff. They were given a comprehensive explanation of MARA's history, its vision and mission in spurring the economic development of the indigenous community, and its various flagship programs. The main focus of the presentation was on small and medium enterprise financing schemes, skills training programs, as well as educational initiatives through institutions such as Kolej MARA and Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA.
The second session of the visit consisted of a tour of several operational departments, including the Financing Division and the Training Division. The Commercial Infrastructure Division (BIK) plays a role in supporting economic development by providing commercial space lots and conducive environmental premises, complete with conveniences and located in strategic and commercial areas. BIK also creates and develops business opportunities in strategic industries through collaboration with players in the automotive, food and beverage, construction, lifestyle and service industries. Infrastructure improvements in the MARA Industrial Area (KIM) aim to obtain MESTI, HALAL and Good Manufacturing Product (GMP) certification towards making KIM a HALAL Park.
According to the Deputy Chancellor I for Academic Affairs at Djuanda University, Dr. "This kind of activity is a concrete manifestation of the university's commitment to implementing a learning model that goes beyond the classroom. Direct interaction with strategic institutions like MARA is very valuable. Participants not only enrich their theoretical understanding but also develop a sense of reality regarding the complexity and dynamics of public policy management and national economic development," he said.
One participant from the Faculty of Law, Djuanda University, Muhamad Aminulloh, stated that partnerships between campuses and institutions like MARA are crucial for building links and match between the academic world and practice. He hopes similar visits can be conducted to other strategic institutions in the future. The activity concluded with a group photo. (FH2026)