For hundreds of Felda students who graduated from the Generasi Baru programme at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, the future is promising.

Generasi Baru alumnus Mohammad Rizhan, who has become a successful entrepreneur, shares his story of achievement.

“Felda graduates are usually regarded as unable to advance,” Mohammad Rizhan Ishak explains, “but I have my own salon.”

Mohammad Rizhan pursued a Diploma in Hair Design and graduated along with 409 Felda students in April 2008. He opened a salon in Kluang, Johor four months ago.

“I run a salon outside of Felda community,” says Mohammad Rizhan, who earns a monthly income of more than RM8,000. He is planning to open up a branch for the Felda community.

Generasi Baru programme has given Felda settlers a glimmer of hope that, by giving their children a tertiary education and swapping their rural mentality for industry-readiness, Felda students can someday become the future leaders of Malaysia.

Mohammad Jaslin Puasa, a Diploma in Interior Design graduate under the Generasi Baru programme, is enjoying his career as a junior designer at an international design agency with its headquarters in Dubai.

Mohammad Jaslin is also a part-time model. He has modeled for Remaja magazine and was also featured in the article Pencarian Hero Remaja.

Norzazrina Zainuddin is another success story. She pursued a Diploma in Broadcasting (Radio and TV) and works as a marketing executive at the university. She manages the domestic market, including the Felda market.

During her time at the university, Norzazrina says she learned a lot about how the media industry works by being a part of Primeworks — a Media Prima company involved in publications.

She was one of the 12 FELDA students who were sent to Limkokwing London.

The Generasi Baru programme aims to equip and empower the next generation of Felda settlers with tertiary education in various courses such as animation, broadcasting, digital photography, interior design, hair design, fashion and apparel design, graphic design, advertising, information technology, and business and tourism management.