SANDAKAN: A total of 31 participants took part in the three-day Skillbiz Alumni IPMA Series-1 course, organised recently by MARA Sabah at a leading hotel here.
The IPMA alumni are former students or graduates of MARA Educational Institutions (IPMA). The participants comprised 25 individuals from Sandakan, and two each from Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, and Beluran.
The opening and closing ceremonies of the course were officiated by Sofian Samain, the Deputy Director (Management Services) of MARA Sabah.
The MARA SkillBiz programme is organised specifically for IPMA alumni, whether they have already started a business or are planning to become entrepreneurs. This programme also supports the MARA Strategic Plan (PSM) 2026-2030 under initiative S1, which aims to foster and spark entrepreneurial values. It also provides exposure to IPMA alumni regarding the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the support facilities offered by MARA.
The course builds the participants’ capacity to face business challenges and ensures they are well-prepared to plan for company strengthening. Furthermore, it aims to develop entrepreneurs capable of building sustainable businesses that generate lasting positive impacts.
The expected impact of this programme is to increase the number of IPMA alumni venturing into business, consequently creating job opportunities to improve socio-economic standards.
Also present alongside Sofian, serving as speakers and facilitators, were the Head of the MARA Sabah Financing Unit, Ali @ Zainal Maidin, Sandakan District MARA Officer (PDM) Ruddy Abdul Rahman, and Kinabatangan PDM Mohd Saddam Abdul Rahman. – James Leong
Sofian (seated third right), and other officials with the participants after the course closing ceremony.
