KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry is reviewing the National Higher Education Strategic Plan (PSPTN) 2007-2020 in line with the government’s efforts to produce graduates with skills in high-impact technology.
Its secretary general II, Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang, said the review, which began early this year and was expected to be completed in June, was focusing more on the concept of technical vocational education and training (TVET).
“Some skills are acquired through experience. In ship-making, for example, we know that if the skill is not developed in line with new technology, it will be extinct.
“…but, under the TVET concept, the ship-making skill will be passed on to the students in a more modern way, such as in preparing a systematic plan and carrying out a simulation test before the final product can be used.”
He said this to reporters after opening of the graduation ceremony for participants of the Malaysian Industry-Government Group For High Technology (Might) – Meteor Advance Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (Meteor) Capital Development Programme here yesterday.
Zaini said the review would also focus on Massive Open On-Line Courses (MOOC) as it would help the government save more on its expenditure.
“This will indirectly reduce the construction of new institutions of higher learning because students can access their online learning system from anywhere, hence reducing the migration of young people to the city,” he said.
Meanwhile, Might president and chief executive officer Dr Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman said most Might-Meteor programme graduates would be absorbed as workers after completing their training at a particular company, except for those who preferred to be self-employed.
A total of 633 graduates, who completed the training for nine to 12 months in 2011 to 2013 in various fields, such as electrical and electronics, aerospace, oil and gas, as well as maritime, received their respective certificates today. — Bernama