SHAH ALAM: Eco World Foundation (ECWF) on Wednesday donated a new electric oven worth RM60,000 to Montfort Boys Town learning institution in a bid to assist the learning of underprivileged youths.
The three-deck baking oven, which would benefit at least 50 students currently studying bakery and pastry, was officially handed over to the Montfort management by the foundation's board of trustee member Philip Mathews during a ceremony there.
Philip said the donation of this size was seldom practiced by ECW, but they have made an exception for Montfort over its track record of training underprivileged young boys and girls.
"Montfort is a deserving institution that has, for the past 58 years, been performing yeoman service for underprivileged boys and girls, which is in line with ECWF's view that equal access to education is an investment for the country's future.
"Statistics showed that our country is still running short of skilled workers, which is the main reason why businesses have to import foreign workers, where currently there are more than two-million. Hopefully, with more highly-skilled graduates from Montfort, we can eventually reduce our dependence on foreign labour," he said during the ceremony.
Also present were ECWF trustee Tan Sri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, its chief executive officer Captain (Rtd) Datuk Liew Siong Sing, and Montfort former director and chaplain Mark Tee.
Mathew said Montfort, which currently has a total of over 300 students in its Year 1 and 2 Programmes, had requested for an additional electric baking oven to cope with the number of students in their Bakery and Pastry Department.
Mathew said ECW through its flagship programme called Students Aid Programme (SAP) provides financial and other assistance to underprivileged children attending regular schools, so that they can continue studying and not be forced to leave because of their families' financial situation.
Meanwhile, Montfort director Robin D expressed the institution's appreciation to ECW during the handover ceremony.
Robin said the institution currently has eight departments, each offering skills courses with certificates that are recognised by the government. These departments include electrical, automotive computer maintenance and hospitality.
He said each student has to undergo two-year training to complete both Year 1 and 2 programmes, which also include character building.