MBOT GIVES PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION TO TECH EXPERTS

Steering the path towards National Transformation with recognition for technologists and technicians

TECHNOLOGISTS and technicians now have a clearer path towards gaining recognition through membership registration with the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT). MBOT recognises technologists and technicians as professions which will be able to show the prestigious side of technology, together with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which are important elements that will help weather the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and drive the National Transformation 2050 (TN50).

Industrial Revolution 4.0 is the meeting point of technology between the physical and virtual world.

This revolution has also raised concerns that human labour might soon be replaced by technology.

According to a World Economic Forum report, 5.1 million jobs will be lost due to disruption in the job market.

Job opportunities in the white collar sector at offices will decrease and be replaced with computers.

However, this will actually increase job opportunities in areas such as computing, architecture, engineering and technology.

Come 2020, 60% out of the 1.5 million jobs would require skilled workers.

As such, the TVET empowerment will be focused on helping to sustain the needs of the job market, which will require an even more highly skilled workforce.

In line with the government’s plan to develop and strengthen TVET to ensure Malaysia is able to produce highly skilled workers, the government, through Budget 2017, has allocated a total of RM4.6bil to focus on TVET institutions.

To meet the Industrial Revolution 4.0, one must also be willing to take on other roles apart from carrying out their existing duties.

Lifelong education and skill strengthening is the key to surviving in the current and future employment landscape.

Today, one’s ability to change and progress no longer depend solely on his field of work.

Instead, with technology, anyone can make a change and innovate.

Based on that premise, technologists play an important role in innovation.

Recognition of technologists and technicians as well as highly skilled workers will encourage them to be more innovative and productive in planning and driving TN50 for generations to come.

MBOT, launched by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau on Nov 17 last year, has opened membership registration for technologists and technicians in two entry level categories – Graduate Technologist for Bachelor degree holders in Technology and Qualified Technician for diploma and skill certificate holders.

Technologists and technicians who register with MBOT will have the opportunity to be recognised as a Professional Technologist or Certified Technician according to their expertise. Up till April 26, a total of 2,158 members were registered through the MBOT online system.

In mutual agreement

On April 13, MBOT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Touch ‘n Go to supply MBOT membership cards with Touch ‘n Go features to 250,000 future MBOT members.

The MoU signing between MBOT president Tan Sri Dr Ts. Ahmad Zaidee Laidin and Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Putih was witnessed by Madius at MBOT’s new office at Ayer@8 in Putrajaya.

Also present at the event was Science, Technology and Innovation secretarygeneral Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Azhar Yahaya.

The MBOT membership cards with Touch ‘n Go features offer valueadded services to members in addition to the latest technology and userfriendly electronic transaction features.

The Touch ‘n Go card can be used for payment transactions at toll plazas, public transports and commercial premises with Touch n’ Go terminals.

Graduates with certificate, diploma bachelor’s degree in technology and technical fields are eligible to apply as a Graduate Technologist or Qualified Technician, and later, they can earn the title of Professional Technologist (Ts. or P.Tech) and Certified Technician (Tc. or C. Tech).

For details and membership registration, log on to www.mbot. org.my or email info@mbot.org. my or call 038800 (MBOT) 6268.

Madius completes the ceremony by signing the plaque to commemorate the opening of the MBOT office, witnessed by Mohd Azhar (second from right), Ts. Ahmad Zaidee (front, left) and MBOT board members. (Inset) A sample of the MBOT member card with Touch...

Madius (seated), Azhar (fifth from left) with MBOT board members and Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd senior management members during their visit to the MBOT office at Ayer@ 8 in Putrajaya.

Ts. Ahmad Zaidee (second from left) and Zainal (third from right) seals the deal on the MOU signing ceremony between MBOT and Touch ‘N Go. Witnessing the event were Madius (third from left), Mohd Azhar (second from right), Touch ‘n Go chief executive...