The Ship Campus located in Batu Kawan Industrial Park (BKIP) in Penang is setting sail on its mission to train talents for the industrial park.

PKT Group chief executive officer and managing director Datuk Seri Michael Tio said The Ship campus was built to support BKIP’s growth in line with state and national agendas.

“Our vision includes enhancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) education, boosting youth employment and nurturing talents.

“Having top-notch hardware is only the first step. Next, we have to build a robust ecosystem to help create synergies among all stakeholders consisting of students, businesses, state government and community leaders.

“The unique campus-in-industry model exposes youths to real working environments while they are still completing their studies.

“This is the key to bridge the gap between the theory and practical elements, giving students hands-on experience to stand out in the competitive job market,” he said during the launch of The Ship campus on Tuesday (May 24).

Costing RM160mil, the 306,419sq ft nautical-themed building is set to become a hub for talent development and entrepreneurship while at the same time, provide food and beverage, and lifestyle facilities in the rapidly developing BKIP.

“The campus is fitted with state-of-the-art facilities to provide students, tenants and the BKIP community at large an exciting space for education, business and TVET upskilling.

“It will also host events and leisure activities.

“Boasting a capacity of 4,000 students across its nine decks, PKT’s education arm – Peninsula College Malaysia – is now headquartered at the site.

“Two other satellite campuses are in the Klang Valley,” he said.

During the launch, Yayasan PKT gave out scholarships worth RM2mil to outstanding students to study at Peninsula College and also to students of local polytechnics.

Yayasan PKT also pledged to contribute RM1mil to the state’s education fund.

The launch was witnessed by Penang Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak who said this campus would play an important role in the educational and economic development of Penang, particularly in logistics

Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy commended PKT Logistics Group for braving the pandemic storm and investing RM160mil to construct The Ship Campus.

“Penang is seeing a continuous inflow of investment from medical device companies, including players in disposable and electronics- based products.

“BKIP itself houses over 160 companies comprising foreign multinational firms and big local companies.

“It is evident that industries are hungry for talent.

“The addition of The Ship campus as a talent hub in the Batu Kawan community is a boon for business as well as the emerging townships in the area,” he said.