TVET, the way forward
CRUCIAL emphasis is placed on the importance of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and its role in equipping young Malaysians for the fourth industrial revolution.
The Government has also frequently conveyed its aspirations of producing highly skilled Malaysians who can contribute to its aim of positioning the country among the top 20 nations by 2050.
In line with this, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology has launched the Limkokwing TVET International, an initiative by the university to spearhead TVET education and training.
“The TVET (landscape) is huge. “We need to change the mindset of Malaysians who think only students who do not pass or do well in school sign up for it.
“It is a skill anyone can pick up to upscale themselves,” said the varsity’s vice-president of corporate relations Datuk Fajura Juffa Mohd Mustafa Kamal at the launch.
Fajura said courses will begin on April 15, and the varsity expects a minimum of 15 students per course.
There is no age limit for those interested in joining Limkokwing TVET International as there is no barrier to lifelong learning, she added.
Some of the objectives behind the initiative include educating people on the kind of opportunities that are available when one is skilled in areas they did not expect would be available to them.
In addition, the Limkokwing TVET International is a platform for working adults to gain professional recognition in order to progress in their careers.
Acknowledging the potential the country has, Fajura said Limkokwing TVET International also aims to make Malaysia the hub of skilled resource.
The programme has at least 450 modules and is open to the public, both Malaysians and non-Malaysians.
Fajura said the courses are flexible as there are short and long courses.
The former runs between one day to a month, while the latter runs between six months to one-and-a-half years.
Limkokwing University of Creative Technology Industry Empowerment senior vice president Datuk Raja Aznil Raja Hisham said the university does not aim to produce mere job seekers but job creators.
The university is a strategic partner with the Human Resource Ministry to develop structured courses and nurturing existing programmes, Fajura said.
By the end of the course, students will be assessed by the university through examinations and projects.
Assessments will also be carried out by industry partners, where students will be evaluated through their work portfolio.
Students who sign up for the short courses will receive certificates endorsed by the varsity while the longer courses are certified by the varsity, the Human Resources Ministry and the Higher Education Ministry. Some of the courses include Design Innovation, Business Management and Information Technology.