UMPSA expands access to TVET Programmes for Tawau Vocational College students and engages local community through Kembara Lestari

TAWAU, 30 April 2026 — Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) introduced the TVET BORNEO Offshore Programme as a collaborative initiative that will open opportunities for Sabah youths, particularly graduates of Vocational Colleges (KV), to pursue Bachelor of Technology programmes at UMPSA.

According to the UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ts. Dr. Yatimah Alias, who is also Deputy Chairman of Yayasan UMPSA, the university remains committed to expanding access to advanced TVET programme offerings by establishing initiatives that provide students with opportunities to further their studies in the TVET field at an optimum level.

“It is in line with the call by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) for the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN) to expand TVET programmes to states in Borneo as well as to realise the direction of MTUN Advanced TVET 2030, which has been developed by all universities under MTUN.

“UMPSA is a public university and one of the leading technical universities within MTUN that offers engineering- and technology-based programmes as well as advanced Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.

“This strategic collaboration between UMPSA and Vocational Colleges aims to see more youths here furthering their studies in TVET, particularly in automotive, rail, aerospace, manufacturing, and process chemistry fields that are highly relevant for the future in producing skilled and professional talent,” she said.

She said this during the Education@Vocational College Programme held in conjunction with Kembara Lestari Negeri Di Bawah Bayu 4.0, which took place in Tawau, Sabah, from 27 April until 1 May 2026.

Meanwhile, UMPSA recorded history when, for the first time, it welcomed a total of 34 new students to pursue technology programmes at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently.

The programme is a strategic collaboration between UMPSA and UMS, which currently offers two offshore Bachelor of Technology programmes at UMS, namely Bachelor Technology of Oil and Gas Facilities Maintenance with Honours and Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Systems Maintenance with Honours.

The programmes are recognised by the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) with a study duration of three and a half years, enabling students to undertake three semesters at UMS, two semesters at UMPSA, and the final two semesters for industrial training.

She added that the implementation of the TVET BORNEO Offshore Programme serves as a collaborative initiative that will provide opportunities for Sabah youths, particularly Vocational College graduates, to pursue programmes offered by UMPSA in collaboration with UMS.

Professor Ts. Dr. Yatimah also presented the UMPSA TVET strategic partner appointment letter to Tawau Vocational College, represented by the Deputy Academic Director of Tawau Vocational College, Dr. Azman Mansor, in support of the implementation of the Bachelor of Technology Degree (TVET BORNEO) UMPSA-UMS Collaborative Programme.

At the same time, she also had the opportunity to engage with five UMPSA alumni who are currently educators serving at Tawau Vocational College, one of the largest vocational colleges in Malaysia.

Officiating the Kembara Lestari programme was Kalabakan Member of Parliament, Yang Berhormat Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Haji Bandy Alias.

Also present was the Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Rail Link Sdn. Bhd. (MRL), Dato’ Seri Haji Darwis Abdul Razak, who is also a member of the Yayasan UMPSA board of trustees.

Meanwhile, according to YB Datuk Andi, his office appreciated UMPSA’s commitment to providing opportunities for students in the area to gain knowledge and experience towards preparing them before entering the workforce so that they are equipped with future-ready skills.

In conjunction with the organisation of Kembara Lestari Negeri Di Bawah Bayu 4.0 in Tawau, Sabah, YB Datuk Andi also participated in the Ziarah Prihatin Programme to deliver Yayasan UMPSA assistance to families in need around Kampung Pasir Putih, Tawau.

Also present were the Chairman of the UMPSA Board of Directors, Dato’ Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar, who is also the Chairman of Yayasan UMPSA, Yayasan UMPSA board of trustee member, Datin Nur Sharmila Shaheen, UMPSA Registrar, Dato Saiful Bahri Ahmad Bakarim, as well as Head of the Student Affairs Unit of Tawau Polytechnic, Dr. Alfian Thomas.

The Kembara Lestari programme involved 25 KILAU UMPSA volunteers from the Yayasan UMPSA squad and ten volunteers from Tawau Polytechnic, specially designed to support local community development and channel assistance to those in need through a holistic and high-impact approach.

The implementation of the programme focuses on efforts to improve community well-being through contributions of expertise and skills covering various aspects, including technology, education, sustainability, culture, spirituality, and community service.

By: Mimi Rabita Haji Abd Wahit, Centre for Corporate Communications
Translation by: Ts. Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, UMPSA Press