GEAR UP! 2026 PROGRAM PROVIDES EARLY EXPOSURE TO ENGINEERING FIELDS FOR 102 MRSM STUDENTS

NIBONG TEBAL, 10 March 2026 - A total of 102 students from three Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) participated in the Gear Up! 2026 Programme organised by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), held at the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus (KKTSS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), here today.

The initiative aimed to provide early exposure for students to various engineering fields as well as opportunities to pursue their studies at the university level, particularly at KKTSS.

Principle Assistant Registrar of the Director’s Office at KKTSS, Mohd. Kamil Ashar, said the programme is expected to offer valuable early insights into the engineering disciplines offered at the campus.

“I am confident that this programme will provide early exposure for students, particularly regarding the engineering fields offered at this campus,” he said.

“Dear students, the nation’s future hopes before me today, make the most of this opportunity to ask questions, observe the engineering fields more closely and envision yourselves as part of the university community in the future,” he added.

He also expressed his appreciation to MARA for organising the programme, describing it as a timely initiative to assist students in planning their academic future.

According to him, the programme is particularly relevant as it coincides with the upcoming announcement of the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination results, which is scheduled for 31 March 2026.

“At the very least, through this programme, students can gain early exposure to the fields of study available, which will help them make more informed considerations and clearer decisions when choosing their path for further studies,” he added.

Throughout the programme, the students attended a special talk titled “Your Future Starts Here” delivered by Ir. Dr. Nur Ayshah Rosli, which provided insights into career pathways in engineering and highlighted the importance of early preparation in determining their academic direction.

The participants were also taken on visits to six engineering schools at the campus, namely the School of Aerospace Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and School of Mechanical Engineering.

Overall, the programme, which was held for the second time at KKTSS, involved the participation of 34 students from MRSM Perlis, 34 students from MRSM Kedah and 34 students from MRSM Pulau Pinang.

Text: Siti Faizah Abd Halim / Photo: Muhammad Taufik Abdul Rahman