Jacob elected Technological Association Sabah chairman
KOTA KINABALU: Jacob N. N. Yan has been elected chairman of Technological Association of Malaysia (TAM) Sabah Branch for session 2019-2020 at its 22nd Annual General Meeting.
Jacob takes over from Simon Goh, who was chairman for the term 2017-2019.
Among those on the board of directors are first and second vice-chairman Tan Heng Ah and Neoh Chee Seong; secretary David Chung Jia Jiunn and treasurer Wong Thien Pin. Completing the board are Executive Committee members Sham Chee Kin, Moris Samy, Tan Kok Jhy, Victor Ang and Tony Wong.
In his speech at the AGM, Jacob said Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) was playing a pivotal role in providing the skilled workforce required for Malaysia’s economic transformation and the next stage of her growth.
“It is the pathway of the 21st century, the way forward to close gaps between economies of the globe, and vital to meet the demands of a technologically complex and unique future,” he said.
He welcomed the formation of the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) under the Technologists and Technicians Act to accredit universities and their Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses, play an integral role in recognising technologists and technicians as a career.
“Through the recognition and accreditation given now, the profession will be recognised as a career path on its own and to recognise the roles and responsibilities of technologists and technicians in the country, as the nation gears towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
Jacob said local enterprises and industries would do well by approaching training to improve their workforce’s skills as a form of investment rather than expense and toward this end, TAM Sabah was willing to offer a helping hands to the local enterprises to step up and take the necessary measures to ensure they were ready for the changes that the new industrial age brings.
He said TAM was the right networking platform for members to interact with technologists at all discipline and grades.
He said he would like to invite technologists and technicians to join TAM and through Malaysia Board of Technologies (MBOT) register as Professional Technologist or Certified Technician.
On the other note, Jacob announced that the 72nd TAM National Annual Dinner and Annual General Meeting would be held on April 6 and 7 in Kota Kinabalu hosted by TAM Sabah and a pipeline of technical site visits would be organised.