MTUN offers a bachelors’ degree programme in technology

Malaysia Technical University Network (MTUN) members comprising four public universities - Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) and Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) made history with the introduction of the bachelor’s degree programme in technology (Bachelor of Technology – B. Tech.) that would have its first batch of students in September.
 
Launched on June 25, 2019 by Minister of Education, Maszlee Malik, it was a very important milestone that complemented the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) eco-system in Malaysia.

It reflected the government’s commitment in promoting and acknowledging TVET as the driving force in the country’s development and that it helped to revive TVET by including it in the country’s main stream education and not as a second class alternative, the negative perception viewed by some previously.

According to Dr. Maszlee, the collaboration of many parties involved to develop the curriculum had made the programme more practical and flexible, fine-tuned to meet the needs of the country in meeting the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0).

He expressed his gratitude to the industrial partners and experts from the Higher Education Department, Skill Development Department, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Technic and Vocational Education Division, MTUN and MBOT who had worked hard to come up with the curriculum.

“The programme is also benchmarked with the Meister programme in Germany and that the Malaysia-German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MGCCI) has conveyed their willingness to be MTUN partner to ensure that all B.Tech graduates will receive the Meister Germany that is recognised by more than 400 companies affiliated with MGCCI,” he said.

He said this in his speech at the launching of the programme that was held at UMP Astaka Hall in Gambang Campus.

Also present were Higher Education Director General, Datin Paduka Ir. Dr. Siti Hamisah Tapsir, Chairman of UMP Board of Directors, Dato’ Sri Ibrahim Ahmad and UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff.

Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff said the programme was an articulation for students of DVM/DKM/DLKM to pursue their studies at the bachelor’s degree level that emphasised on hands-on skill component.

“The programme will be offered to eligible candidates in September and will include 10 fields of technology – automotive, oil and gas facility maintenance, industrial machining, welding, electrical system maintenance, building construction, industrial cooling and air-conditioning, industrial electronic automation, occupational safety and health and hospitality.

“The programme will be offered according to the focus of each MTUN university members,” he said.

There was also a talk held, ‘Distinguished Scholar Discourse Series’, the first of its series and was initiated by UMP Academic Staff Association (PAKAD). It would serve as a prestigious platform for intellectuals to speak on their subject matters.

Prominent personalities spoke on a topic titled, ‘Challenges in Strengthening of TVET: Where Are We’. 

They were Malaysia Board of Technologist (MBOT) President, Tan Sri Dato’ Ir. (Dr.) Ts. Ahmad Zaidee Laidin, UTHM Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic & International), Professor Dr. Ismail Abdul Rahman, MBOT Registrar, Ts. Mohd. Nazrul Marzuke and UMP Centre of Academic Innovation and Competitiveness (CAIC), Associate Professor Dr. Mohd. Rusllim Mohamed who acted as the moderator.