Perintis members attend MQA briefing on Apel
KUCHING: Several private higher learning institutions in Sarawak were briefed on the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (Apel) initiative which provides opportunities for individuals with working experience but who lack formal academic qualifications to pursue higher studies.
The recent briefing for members of Sarawak Private Higher Learning Institutions Association ( Perintis) was given by officers from Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) at the International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak (i-CATS).
MQA’s Deputy Chief Executive ( Quality Assurance) Prof Dr Hazman Shah Abdullah explained Apel is a systematic process that involves the identification, documentation and assessment of prior experiential learning to determine the extent to which an individual has achieved the desired learning outcomes.
This is to provide him or her with access to a programme of study and/or award of credits. In general, knowledge obtained through formal education and working experience will be assessed.
Apel would enable individuals with working experience but who lack formal academic qualifications to pursue their studies in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
Presently, Apel can be used as an entry requirement to HEIs for the following levels of Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF): Level 3 MQF (Certificate), Level 4 MQF ( Diploma), Level 6 MQF ( Bachelor’s Degree) and Level 7 MQF (Master’s Degree).
In addition to Apel, the MQA officials also updated those present on various MQA-related matters and procedures.
The briefing was then followed by a dialogue session between Perintis’ members and MQA. Various issues and challenges faced by the private HEIs in Sarawak were highlighted and discussed.
Perintis, established on June 29 in 2000, is the association that represents the interests of Sarawak’s private HEIs.
It works closely with the government in the development and growth of the private higher education sector.
Presently, Perintis’ main committee is led by i- CATS chief executive officer ( CEO), Mohd Isham Fauzi as president, Davis Loh Jack Yau from Pusat Latihan Trident as secretary and Mukvinder Kaur Sandhu ( UCSI) as treasurer.
MQA is the government agency responsible for monitoring and overseeing the quality assurance practices and accreditation of national higher education programmes.
Also present at the briefing were MQA senior director Soo Sit Chuan, directors Dr Zubaidah Aman and Muhamad Amran Zainal Abidi, National Association of Private Educational Institutions ( NAPEI) president Associate Professor Elajsolan VM Mohan and other MQA and NAPEI officials.