UMPSA expands TVET education outreach, strengthens student leadership

GAMBANG, 19 June 2025 – Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) once again takes a step forward to strengthen the national Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Agenda by organising the UMPSA Open Day 2025 in conjunction with the National TVET Day Celebration, which took place for two days from 18 to 19 June 2025 at the Sports Complex Hall, UMPSA Gambang Campus.

The ceremony was officiated by the Chief Minister of Pahang, Yang Berhormat Dat’ Sri Diraja Haji Wan Rosdy bin Wan Ismail, represented by the Chairman of the Pahang State Committee on Agriculture, Agro-Based Industry, Biotechnology and Education, Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Ir. Haji Mohd Soffi Tan Sri Abd Razak.

Also present were UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias, Pahang State Government Executive Council Member, Dato’ Mohd Nizar Mohamad Najib, Chief Executive Officer of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Datuk Ir. Megat Jalaludin Megat Hassan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs), Professor Dato’ Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Ziad Sulaiman, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr Aida Mustapha.

According to Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Ir. Haji Mohd Soffi, the State Government is committed to empowering TVET education as a driver for the future development of the state and the country.

“TVET is a forward-looking human capital development platform and is closely linked with industry.

“The Pahang State Government has taken proactive steps through various initiatives such as the establishment of the Pahang Rail Academy and the provision of TVET scholarships for local students,” he said in his speech.

He also expressed pride in seeing UMPSA at the forefront of introducing international-level TVET, including student mobility programmes abroad, academic–industry collaboration, and smart campus development.

In addition, he conveyed appreciation for UMPSA’s continuous leadership in international-level TVET through strategic collaborations with industries and global institutions such as Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU).

Meanwhile, Professor Dr. Yatimah stated that the organisation of the International Young Future Leaders Summit (iFUTURE’25@UMPSA) serves as a strategic national platform inspired by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) as the best avenue to strengthen student leadership with a Malaysian spirit.

“It opens up space for the next generation to understand and discuss national and global issues through discourses, dialogues, and engagement sessions with leaders,” she said.

The iFUTURE forum featured a prestigious session moderated by Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Nurul Hazlina Noordin with guest panellists including the President and Chief Executive Officer of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Datuk Ir. Megat Jalaludin Megat Hassan, and Pahang State Executive Councillor for Investment, Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dato’ Sri Mohd Nizar Mohamad Najib.

This edition of iFUTURE featured three series focusing on Women Empowerment, the TVET Agenda, and the ASEAN Students Dialogue, bringing together students from various international universities, including Universitas Indonesia, Vietnam University of Ho Chi Minh, University of Southeastern Philippines, Svay Rieng University from Cambodia, and Nanyang Technological University from Singapore.

Also held was the exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoU) between UMPSA and the Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA), Selangor Human Resource Development Centre (SHRDC), and E-Access International College in enhancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

The UMPSA Open Day was held to enliven the National TVET Day, designed as an inclusive platform to connect various parties: students, communities, industries, and policymakers, within a holistic higher education ecosystem.

The event was further enlivened with various main programmes, including the Creation, Innovation, Technology & Research Exposition (CITREX) 2025, which showcased 283 research and innovation products from UMPSA, higher education institutions, schools, and industries.

Also held was the UMPSA Career Festival, offering over 250 career and industrial training opportunities involving more than 20 companies.

By: Naqiah Puaad, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, UMPSA Press