Kota Kinabalu, 8 October 2024 – Jesselton University College (JUC) introduced the Community Learning Access Program (CLAP) as a long-term, publicly accessible initiative to empower aspiring community entrepreneurs and promote financial self-reliance. This free programme offers comprehensive support for local start-ups, particularly targeting underserved and low-income community members.
In 2024, participants receive access to a range of training workshops, including Graphic Design, TikTok Digital Marketing, Effective Communication for Persons with Disabilities (PWD), and Creative Floristry, all designed to equip them with practical, income-generating skills. The programme is fully funded by JUC, with no costs to participants, and is delivered in collaboration with the National Training Week (NTW), Program Latihan Madani, and HRD Corp.
In Sabah and across Malaysia, many individuals, particularly from low-income backgrounds, face limited access to capital, infrastructure and marketable skills needed to start and grow businesses. Without structured intervention, these communities remain economically vulnerable and continue to rely on informal or unstable income sources.
By removing these structural barriers, JUC’s CLAP enables equitable access to entrepreneurial tools and knowledge. Participants not only develop critical business competencies but also gain the confidence and institutional support needed to build financially and socially sustainable enterprises. This program is particularly crucial for women and PWDs, whose participation in the formal economy remains disproportionately low due to systemic limitations.
In addition to training, participants benefit from free access to university facilities, such as study rooms, discussion rooms, student lounges, computer labs, and physical and digital libraries (e.g., ProQuest, IG Library, and Ebook Central). These resources support business planning, research, and skill development.
