LTAT Foundation Introduces Five Educational Initiatives To Assist MAF Personnel's Children

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) Foundation today launched five educational initiative programmes for this year to empower the education, skills and welfare of children and families of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said these initiatives are being introduced to safeguard the welfare of MAF personnel, not only in terms of assets but also by focusing on the education and skills development of their children and families.

"The first initiative is the e-Perkasa Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2025 Programme, a collaboration between LTAT Foundation and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), involving a total of 652 students who attend schools outside military camps.

"Through this programme, every student selected will be provided with a free device sponsored by BHIC AeroServices Sdn Bhd (BHICAS), Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd (BHPetrol) and Perbadanan Perwira Niaga Malaysia (Pernama), which is the programme's overall sponsor,” he said.

He said this when officiating the launch of the 2025 LTAT Foundation Education Initiatives at a leading hotel here today.

Mohamed Khaled said the second initiative is the 'Sentuhan Elit SPM’ Programme, which involves 658 selected students from six schools in camps (SDK).

"They will participate in programmes such as intensive SPM tuition, exam answering technique workshops as well as career and post-SPM directions,” he said.

He added that the third initiative is the "Kemahiran Keluarga Tentera (K2T)” programme, which expands access to tertiary-level education and skills training for MAF personnel, including Armed Forces Family Welfare Body (BAKAT) members and their children.

"They can attend 22 short courses, such as culinary and makeup. Those who further their studies at MARA educational institutions in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) or its equivalent will receive sponsorship covering fees not exceeding RM3,000 per person.

"This is the result of a collaboration between the LTAT Foundation and the Polytechnic and Community College Education Department (JPPKK), with funding support from Pharmaniaga Berhad as the main sponsor,” he said.

Mohamed Khaled said the fourth initiative is the MADANI Education Savings Programme, implemented through the collaboration between the LTAT Foundation and the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).

"Through this programme, a total of 3,775 Year One students, who are children of military personnel still serving, received a one-off RM50 contribution in the form of an SSPN Prime Savings account, with the total contributed being RM188,750,” he said. 

He added that the fifth initiative is the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Programme, a strategic collaboration between the LTAT Foundation and Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) as well as Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

"TalentCorp's role is to raise early awareness on the importance of STEM and providing career guidance, while USM is responsible for developing the STEM learning module and acts as the coordinating body alongside other public universities nationwide to implement this programme at SDKs,” he said.

At the launch, he also witnessed the presentation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions totalling RM3.2 million from Affin Bank Berhad, BHPetrol and Kemalak Group Sdn Bhd to help empower the future of the defence generation.

Also present were Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari; Chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar; Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali; LTAT chairman Gen (Rtd) Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin; Army chief Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan; and LTAT Foundation chief executive Datuk Dr Mohd Nizar Sudin.

Also present were Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, Chief of Defence Forces General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar, Defence Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, LTAT Chairman General (Rtd) Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin, Army Chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, and Yayasan LTAT Chief Executive Datuk Dr Mohd Nizar Sudin.

-- BERNAMA