Tengku Mahkota Pahang ordered to focus specifically on the importance and empowerment of TVET

GAMBANG, 1 June 2024 - His Majesty the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Ibni Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) ordered to focus specifically on the importance and empowerment of TVET.

"TVET and the development of artificial technology (AI) play an important role in the development of highly skilled and globally competitive human capital. 

"TVET provides opportunities for students to acquire practical skills relevant to the needs of the industry thus increasing the marketability of graduates and reducing the unemployment rate as well as producing graduates with premium salaries.

"The empowerment of TVET requires close cooperation between the government, educational institutions and industry players to produce a workforce that is not only knowledgeable, but also authoritative, innovative and of high value," he said.

His Royal Highness the Tengku Mahkota Pahang said so when officiating the Jom Masuk U 2024 East Zone II Programme at the Sports Complex Hall, UMPSA Gambang Campus today.

His Majesty in his order also called for the students to get excellent results and fill themselves with various soft skills in order to be up for grabs in the job market in the future. 

"The same goes for UMPSA, congratulations and well done for also being the best Technical University in Malaysia and Top Three among all universities," said His Majesty. 

While according to the Director General of Higher Education, Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman, there are a total of 504 study programmes offered to Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) graduates and 1,114 study programmes offered to Malaysian Higher Certificate of Education (STPM) graduates/equivalent by public universities (UA), Polytechnics, Community Colleges and ILKA nationwide. 

"In total, 1,618 academic programmes are offered through UPUOnline.

"Based on the principle of meritocracy by taking into account 90 percent of academic marks and ten percent of co-curricular marks regardless of race, religion, state, standard of living, candidates are given the opportunity to study at IPTA and ILKA. 

"This meritocracy policy has been implemented since 2002," he said. 

UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ts. Dato' Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin said, Jom Masuk U today is not just a guide to students about their future path, but rather a platform to provide educated and trained human capital to continue development and success in various fields.

Also present was the Pro-Chancellor of UMPSA, Tan Sri Dato' Dr. Abi Musa Asa'ari Mohamed Nor, Chairman of the UMPSA Board of Directors, Dato' Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar and Paya Besar Member of Parliament, Dato' Indera Mohd Shahar Abdullah. 

Tengku Hassanal also agreed to submit Faculty@School appointment letters to eight schools, namely Abdul Rahman Talib National Secondary School, Kuantan Integrated Boarding School, Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Science School, Tun Abdul Razak Integration Boarding School, MARA Junior Science College (MRSM). Kuantan, MRSM Tun Abdul Razak, Kuantan Technical High School, and Maahad Tahfiz Negeri Pahang (MTNP).

His Majesty also visited the TVET@UMPSA booth, the Ministry of Higher Education, IPTA, IPTS and others. 

There are more than 70 programmes related to higher education offered by higher education institutions under the KPT which include Public Universities (UA), Private Higher Education Institutions (IPTS), Polytechnics, Community Colleges (KK) as well as the involvement of Public Skills Training Institutions (ILKA).

In addition to this, there are sponsorship agency inquiries, UPUOnline consultation sessions, sponsorship/scholarship/loan consultations and higher education financial assistance.

UMPSA hosted the Jom Masuk U (JMU) East Zone II tour series which lasted for two days from 1 to 2 June 2024.

The JMU 2024 tour series from 4 May 2024 to 9 June 2024 in ten selected zones across the country is a one-stop centre for higher education in the country that brings together public and private higher education institutions (IPTs); Public & Private Skill Training Institutions; funding and sponsorship agencies; verification of eligibility; including a series of partnerships that are beneficial to all.

UMPSA also organizes various interesting programmes including UMPSA Open Day, TVET@UMPSA Week, student performances, forums and talks with alumni, TVET Podcasts, TVET and STEM exhibitions and others.

By: Naqiah Puaad, Centre For Corporate Communications

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, Umpsa Career Centre (UMPSACC)