Industry-academia collaboration in MIAD strengthens country’s advanced TVET field

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 June 2024 – The MTUN Industry-Academia Discourse on Advanced TVET (MIAD) 2024 programme organised by the Malaysian Technical Universities Network (MTUN)  successfully brought together an expert group of world leaders, policymakers, researchers and industry experts to explore the future of advanced TVET globally.

The programme was officiated by the Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir at the World Trade Centre (WTC), Kuala Lumpur.
According to Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry, the university is not only a place to hone talent and gain knowledge but is also recommended to offer study programmes related to the advanced TVET industry through collaborative relationships between higher education institutions (HEI), the government sector and industry players.
“I really welcome academic-industry collaboration in the mission to produce graduates who have the skills and knowledge in line with the needs of the current job market,” he said.

Also present were the Deputy Secretary General (Policy) of MOHE, Dato’ Dr. Haji Megat Sany Megat Ahmad Supian, Director General of Higher Education, Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman, Director General of the Polytechnic and Community College Education Department, Dr. Haji Mohd Zahari Ismail and Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) cum the Chairman of MTUN, Professor Datuk Ts. Dr. Massila Kamalrudin.

Also present were the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Dato’ Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar, UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Zaliman Sauli and Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Professor Dato’ Ir. Ts.  Dr. Ruzairi Abdul Rahim.

Professor Datuk Ts. Dr. Massila said that this international-level programme was packed with great activities including the keynote session delivered by Senior Director of Alibaba (China) Education & Technology Com, Ltd., Zhang Lei, titled “Shaping Tomorrow: Unveiling Key Skills for the Future Workforce at the Intersection of Robotics, AI and TVET in Ali Baba Industry Success and Sustainability”.

“Meanwhile, the academic forum is lined up with experts in the field of TVET among academicians and industries who discuss the topic of Cross-Cultural Competence for a Globalised TVET Workforce: A Perspective,” he said.

The forum featured the Deputy President of the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), Mahalil Amin Abdul Malek as the moderator, along with four panelists consisting of the General Manager of STMicroelectronics, Dr. Tan Chun Seng, Senior Volunteer JICA, Nagae Yutaka, Counsellor (Edu & Res) Australian H. Commision, Fiona Morris and Chief Executive Officer of Northport (M) Berhad, Dato’ Azman Shah Mohd Yusof.

According to Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie, the organisation of CEO Roundtable highlighted the top management group among the world’s leading companies to share their expertise and experience in driving TVET’s future growth.

“The involvement of university-industry provides opportunities for industry players to share ideas and views, especially in implementing academic programmes with the concept of 2U2i study mode.

“Work-based learning or apprenticeship is carried out so that TVET graduates from MTUN are especially able to have the skills needed by the industry, thus making it easier for them to get jobs offered by the industry,” he said.

“I believe that more opportunities for collaboration with the industry with MTUN institutions in future programmes to ensure good relations with the industry can be utilised by all parties,” he said.

The second forum featured Deputy Secretary General’s Office (Industrial Development) Ministry of Investment (MITI), Datuk Hanafi Sakri, Deputy President of Semiconductor Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Duong Ngan Leong, CEO of Bosch Rexroth Sdn. Bhd., Darren Chan Chon Hoe and CEO of Oppstar Technology Sdn. Bhd., Hun Wan Cheah who discussed a topic titled “On Global Competitiveness Beyond Boundaries: Nurturing Global Talents through TVET Excellence”, which saw Ben Ibrahim as a moderator.

There was also the MTUN Advanced TVET 2030 Launch Ceremony, Malaysia-China Kaiwu Workshop and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and memorandum of agreement (MoA) exchange session with MTUN strategic partners witnessed by the Minister of Higher Education.

The day-long programme also involved a research exhibition from MTUN that showcased the excellence of research projects based on the latest global TVET technology.

By: Nor Salwana Mohamad Idris, Centre for Corporate Communications
Translation by: Dr.  Rozaimi  Abu  Samah, Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology