UMPSA empowers advanced TVET and international mobility

KUALA LUMPUR, 20 June 2024 - Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) which is a university in the Malaysian Technical Universities Network (MTUN) has implemented various initiatives to strengthen the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Agenda (TVET).

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, 220 companies based in China offered educational sponsorships to more than 5,000 Malaysian students to undergo TVET-related training there as a result of an understanding agreement signed by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) Belia Mahir and Tang (M) International Education Group with Beifang Automotive Education Group (Beifang) and Tang International Education Group.

This benefit also involves students of higher education institutions (HEI) and UMPSA who have recently signed an MoU with Belia Mahir and Beifang Automotive Education Group to undergo up-skilling training in producing industry-available skilled professionals for career development and graduate employability (GE) in Malaysia.

According to the UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ts.  Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, MTUN Industry-Academia Discourse on Advanced TVET (MIAD) 2024 also discussed advanced TVET, especially among MTUN universities.

“UMPSA is also leading in the implementation of the Student Mobility Programme which also has great implications in increasing students’ global competency while enriching students’ overseas learning experience.

“This international mobility programme provides opportunities to students to join finishing school programme and additional competency course training at the international institutions through the university’s efforts in developing competitive TVET students characteristics.

“The collaboration with BAEF also exploits the sharing of expertise and training equipment, staff and student exchange, work-based learning (WBL), TVET seminars and training, cultural and mobility programmes, research and publication,” he said.

He added that the collaboration to expand the mobility programme with advanced TVET competency certification from training institutions or industry in China is seen to support the government’s efforts in sending young national talents to acquire high-tech skills.

“In addition, it is able to bring international students to Malaysia to increase the employability of premium graduates and support the Education Tourism (edutourism) efforts implemented at UMPSA.

“With the support of MOHE, especially the JPT Student Affairs Division, UMPSA, as the leading university of the MyChat24 programme, will offer this programme to students, graduates and IPT staff to participate in improving skills through upskilling programmes or competency certificates in fields related to artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicle (EV), hydrogen vehicle (HV), heritage railway technology, e-commerce, advanced manufacturing automation (robotics), good manufacturing practices (GMP), data science, analytics and health sciences and Chinese cultural & heritage,” he said.

He further added that this strategic collaboration involves PKPB and TANG International Education (China) under the efforts of Malaysia-China Institute (MCI) through China’s Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) on the implementation of the  Malaysia-China Advanced TVET Mobility Programme (MYCHAT) in China.

“To date, there are 20 participants succeeded in obtaining professional certification under MYChAT which gave participants the opportunity in the field of artificial intelligence at Beijing Polytechnic.

“Meanwhile, 30 participants, including students from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), underwent training at the Beifang Automotive Training Centre, Beijing, China specialising in automotive engineering and focusing on the technology of electric vehicle (EV) and hydrogen vehicle (HV).

“Phase 3 of the MyCHAT-24 Programme will be held at Liuzhou Railway Vocational Technical College from 22 to 28 June 2024 with a focus on rail engineering involving 34 participants,” he said.

They will receive a Railway Engineering Certificate of Competence from Liuzhou Railway Vocational Technical College upon completion of the programme.

Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie was present with the President of the UMPSA Students’ Representative Council (MPP), Muhammad Haykal Halid, to share experiences in the MYCHAT programme in China.

By: Mimi Rabita Abd Wahit, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Dr.  Rozaimi  Abu  Samah, Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology