UMP recognised as hub for TVET automotive

SHAH ALAM, 17 June 2022 - Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) received the appointment of the TVET Collaboration Hub in the automotive sector through the Centre for Automotive Engineering UMP in conjunction with the 2022 National TVET Week Closing Ceremony as an effort to realise the current TVET agenda in the country.

The appointment was presented by the Deputy Chief Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Dato’ Dr. Megat Sany Megat Ahmad Supian to the UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin.

Also present was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr. Kamal Zuhairi Zamli.

At the same time, 14 institutions received the appointment of TVET Collaboration Hub from economic regions across the country based on their respective niche areas.

According to Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie, UMP will continue to strengthen its role in the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN) to execute the agenda for the empowerment of national Technical and Vocational Training and Education (TVET).

“The recently sealed strategic collaboration involving the Department of Polytechnic Education and Community Colleges (JPPKK) and the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN) witnessed by the Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad will give direction to the national TVET.

“MTUN consists of four universities, namely Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM).

“This strategic collaboration will provide an opportunity for students to enjoy a more comprehensive learning experience through the courses offered thus increasing the intake of polytechnic graduates to MTUN,” he said.

In addition, he said that this collaboration could be a catalyst to maintain the sustainability of the TVET field in the future while ensuring the continuity of the academic pathway of polytechnic students and community colleges after they graduate to the highest level.

“Two main elements distinguish high level TVET, namely High Technology High Value (HTHV) and MQF Level 6 and above for TVET programmes. In fact, this element should also be applied by all MTUN in the curriculum at the university.

“Achieving the two decades of establishment, UMP offers various engineering and technology-based technical programmes and technical-based academic programmes with industry-led curricula that meet the main needs of the country.

“In addition, the announcement by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob about a donation for the B40 group to choose a TVET programme during the Opening Ceremony of the National TVET Week at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Polytechnic last week became an encouragement that can further increase the current enrolment of TVET students,” he said.

Now, he said, students who choose the TVET stream have another fund through this donation.

“Students have also begun to understand that their status is the same despite the different fields.

“TVET graduates are also believed to be easier to get a job,” he said.

At the same event, YAB Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri also wanted to see at least 55 per cent of the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) holders pursue their studies in TVET programmes by 2025 as stipulated in the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12).

Hence, according to Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. getting 55 per cent of SPM holders into the TVET stream is not difficult because whoever registers in any MTUN university for an engineering or engineering technology diploma is already in the TVET programme.

“In fact, the engineering or engineering technology diploma programmes at MTUN, including UMP, are recognised by professional bodies either by ETAC under BEM or TTAC under MBOT.

“These two bodies are articulating their programme standards with the TVET programme standard COPTPA, the TVET Programme Accreditation Code of Practice in the Single Quality Assurance System of Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

“UMP will take various initiatives to ensure that engineering diplomas are improved,” he said.

He said that graduates of these diploma programmes would be the feeders for high level TVET programmes at UMP.

“Dermasiswa B40 TVET will certainly boost the enrolment into the national TVET stream,” he said.

“To date, UMP offers 15 Bachelor of Engineering Technology programmes, six Bachelor of Technology programmes and five Diploma in Engineering/Engineering Technology programmes.

By: Mimi Rabita Abdul Wahit, Corporate Communications Unit, Chancellery Department 
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology