Latest news with #TVET
Barnama
9 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
TVET To Be Elevated Under 13MP
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) outlines a key direction to elevate the certification of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to be on par with higher education, in line with the goal of producing skilled and high-income workers. National Skilled Workers Organisation (BELIA MAHIR) president Mohammad Rizan Hassan welcomed the 13MP tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, especially the government's commitment to strengthening the national TVET ecosystem. He also made four recommendations to the government to further empower TVET programmes, namely, preserving the principle of 'TVET for all'; diversifying training approaches with inclusive funding; aligning training funds and TVET financing under the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK); and transforming PTPK into a 'National TVET Fund' – a future workforce investor. 'BELIA MAHIR calls for the spirit of 'TVET For All' to be preserved and intensified by ensuring comprehensive access for all youth, especially NEET (Not in Employment, Education and Training) youth. This remains a key focus of the National TVET Council (MTVET) under the leadership of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as chairman. 'In addition, training approaches must be more dynamic and tailored to industry needs. Programmes that should be strengthened and financed include Teaching Factory (TEFA), Work-Based Learning (WBL), and Apprenticeship programmes,' he said in a statement today. Mohammad Rizan also expressed hope that the MADANI TVET Empowerment Financing Scheme and the TVET Training Fund would be fully managed under PTPK and coordinated by the National TVET Council to avoid overlapping implementation by the 12 ministries involved in TVET, thereby ensuring transparency and maximum impact for trainees. He further proposed that PTPK be rebranded as the National TVET Fund with broader and more strategic functions, including financing training equipment and smart workshop development, as well as providing incentives to companies that trained and employed TVET graduates. Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizan said his organisation remained committed to working with the government, the National TVET Council, industry, and training institutions to ensure that every policy and implementation in the 13MP truly benefited the future of the nation's skilled youth. Meanwhile, MyDigital ID in a statement also welcomed the emphasis on the importance of MyDigital ID as a secure and verifiable single digital identity key, which facilitated access to various online public services more efficiently and swiftly, aligning with the government's efforts to advance digitalisation.
Barnama
11 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
13MP: TVET Gets A Big Boost
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Governance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) will be strengthened through the establishment of a dedicated TVET Commission to regulate TVET institutions and monitor strategies and initiatives under the National TVET Policy. According to the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) document released by the Ministry of Economy today, a study will also be conducted on drafting a TVET Act to improve the governance of skills-based education. 'The level of skills certification under the Malaysian Skills Certification System will be expanded through amendments to the National Skills Development Act 2006 to elevate TVET as a pathway equal to the academic route within the national higher education system. 'In addition, an institutional TVET rating system will be developed to ensure programme quality is aligned with industry needs and to facilitate optimal allocation of resources,' the document said. The document also said that TVET programmes will continue to be strengthened in line with industry requirements and programme offerings will take into account investment based on high-growth, high-value (HGHV) industries as well as strategic and advanced technology sectors. 'These efforts will support talent development needs in strategic investment areas such as the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP), and the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park (KIGIP). 'Collaboration between public TVET institutions and industry will be intensified through sharing of expertise and the latest technologies, including AI, as well as curriculum development and upskilling and reskilling programmes for TVET educators,' the document stated. It further notes that TVET programme offerings will be extended to tahfiz and huffaz students in order to elevate TVET as a tahfiz platform. Meanwhile, lifelong learning (LLL) will be enhanced in preparation for an ageing nation by 2043, with LLL programmes for the third-age population to be offered through the concept of Third Age Universities.
Sinar Daily
12 hours ago
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Preschool mandatory at age five, community schools to be expanded
KUALA LUMPUR - Early childhood education will be made compulsory at the age of five, while community-based schools for Orang Asli, longhouse residents and rural populations will be expanded, according to the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) document released by the Economy Ministry today. The document states that education reform is a key pillar of the structural transformation outlined under 13MP, aimed at improving learning outcomes, strengthening teacher competencies, and enhancing the overall quality of teaching and learning nationwide. To achieve these goals, eight strategies will be implemented during the plan period. These include strengthening governance, rationalising the roles of education institutions, improving student performance, and refining assessment and evaluation mechanisms. Other focus areas include upgrading educator competencies, boosting investment in education, promoting lifelong learning, and enhancing the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem. Formal primary education will begin at age six in line with international norms, the document states. English will be used as part of the medium of instruction and communication for lower primary students, while the teaching of additional languages will be expanded at the primary level. Governance across the education continuum, from preschool to secondary, and including pre-university and higher education, will be streamlined to enhance service delivery. A new law will be introduced to regulate early childhood education, while regulatory oversight of alternative education will be strengthened. According to the document, a national education council will be established to coordinate, monitor and propose intervention measures to ensure a progressive, world-class education system. A pilot initiative to grant greater autonomy to universities will also be introduced to strengthen financial sustainability and institutional competitiveness. In parallel, access to education for students with special needs will be expanded nationwide, from preschool to secondary school. A comprehensive review will be conducted to determine optimal school hours, evaluate the effectiveness of specialised schools, and improve education models for gifted and talented students. To improve graduate outcomes, the document states that a mandatory paid internship scheme will be introduced to encourage greater participation from industry, particularly among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Evaluation and assessment systems will also be enhanced to raise education quality to international benchmarks. A dedicated review will assess the effectiveness of current school-level evaluation practices. In addition, a new framework to measure graduate outcomes will be introduced to address skill mismatches and reduce underemployment. Education investment will be scaled up, including the enhancement of facilities such as preschools based on learning needs. According to the document, the construction of schools will be made a prerequisite for planning approval in large-scale housing developments. Vertical school development will be expanded to address overcrowding and limited land availability, while the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan scheme will be reviewed to make it more targeted, focused and sustainable. To improve transparency and coordination, a single national platform will be established to manage education sponsorships and donations. The platform will facilitate contributions from parents, alumni, communities, the private sector and industry. - BERNAMA
Malaysian Reserve
12 hours ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Ahmad Zahid backs 13MP focus on skilled talent through TVET
by HIDAYATH HISHAM DEPUTY Prime Minister (DPM) Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi welcomes the emphasis on technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in the 13th Malaysia Plan (MP13) as a strategy to build a skilled workforce. Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the National TVET Council, said the initiative aligns with the government's efforts to position TVET as a key pathway for producing relevant and competitive talent. 'This includes the implementation of the TVET Madani Programme, which now targets 'tahfiz' and 'huffaz' students. Therefore, I extend my deepest thanks to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his strong commitment to strengthening TVET,' he told reporters at Parliament today. He added that the government will focus on broadening access to skills training, improving the wage outcomes of TVET graduates and ensuring better alignment between industry demand and national economic planning. Ahmad Zahid also expressed appreciation for the inclusion of the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA 35), which he said would benefit communities in rural, suburban and urban areas across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. He noted that MP13's disaster management strategy — which allocates over RM20 billion for flood mitigation, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered early warning systems and improved disaster governance — reflects the government's long-term commitment to building resilience. 'I believe this is a long-term plan that can provide effective mitigation for natural disasters such as floods, which we have long sought to address,' he said. Ahmad Zahid said the five-year development plan comes at a critical time as the country faces global economic uncertainties and supply chain disruptions that could challenge competitiveness and public wellbeing. He described MP13 as more than an economic blueprint, saying it is a reflection of the government's pledge to drive equitable growth and ensure no Malaysian is left behind. Earlier today, Anwar presented MP13 in the Dewan Rakyat, stating that the five-year plan would deliver tangible outcomes for the rakyat and lay a strong foundation for Malaysia to advance into a more prosperous decade.
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
MoHE: Zambry's visit strengthens Malaysia-Japan ties, with focus on AI, semiconductors and student exchange
PUTRAJAYA, July 31 — The recent working visit by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir to Tokyo and Osaka reflects Malaysia's commitment to further explore strategic cooperation with advanced nations like Japan in driving excellence in higher education. In a statement today, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) said the initiative is aligned with the development of the Malaysian Higher Education Plan 2025-2035, which is currently being formulated. According to the ministry, emphasis on technological entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence (AI), and high-impact technical, vocational and engineering education and training (TVET) is among the key pillars to ensure Malaysian students are ready to participate in a future innovation-driven economy. Zambry's working visit, at the invitation of the Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia (ERIA) from July 28 to 30, aimed to strengthen Malaysia-Japan strategic cooperation in higher education, research, innovation and technology. MOHE said key components of the visit included a bilateral meeting with Koichi Hagiuda, Chairman of the Policy Research Council of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The meeting discussed various strategic issues related to the challenges faced by modern universities and the potential for collaboration in the fields of innovation and the creative economy (orange economy). MOHE stated that Zambry also visited the University of Tokyo, where he was briefed on the AI Startup programme developed specifically for undergraduate and postgraduate students. According to the statement, the programme has produced many students who successfully established AI-based startups generating high incomes in their respective fields. The initiative is driven by Matsuo Lab Startup, which provides mentorship, a startup ecosystem, and access to the latest technologies. 'The minister said that this is a model worth exploring and adapting for implementation in Malaysia to empower students as value creators in the future economy,' the statement read. Zambry also visited the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), which provided the MOHE team with the opportunity to observe the latest technologies in semiconductors, AI and quantum computing. The visit also highlighted the potential for collaboration between AIST and Malaysian research institutions such as MIMOS, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). MOHE reported that Zambry met with the President of the University of Tsukuba, Prof Kyosuke Nagata, with discussions focusing on strengthening the university's branch campus in Malaysia and expanding its programmes to a higher level, including collaboration in the field of High-TVET. In addition, MOHE said that Zambry's preliminary discussion with Prof Ichiro Sugimoto, Dean of the Centre for Malaysian Studies at Soka University, opened new opportunities to expand the centre and explore research in comparative religion, as well as foster research collaboration between Soka University and Malaysian institutions. According to MOHE, Zambry also visited the Kaneka Osaka Plant, a high-tech research and production centre involved in the development of advanced chemical and biotechnological materials. Discussions were held on potential researcher and student exchanges between Malaysia and Japan to support talent growth in high-tech sectors. Zambry also visited the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo Osaka and met with Malaysian postgraduate students in Tokyo, reaffirming the ministry's continued commitment to the welfare and support of Malaysian students abroad. MOHE said the Higher Education Week concluded on July 26, 2025, at Expo Osaka with the theme 'Study in Malaysia', attracting 100,000 visitors over six days — a clear indication of the overwhelming response to Malaysia's participation on the international stage. Expo Osaka is held every five years and features participation from 158 countries, drawing millions of visitors from around the world. — Bernama
