{"id":5161,"date":"2023-01-18T01:42:21","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T01:42:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dreamy-benz.178-128-112-175.plesk.page\/?p=5161"},"modified":"2024-03-05T10:39:50","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T02:39:50","slug":"maintain-even-playing-field-for-tvet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/propp.my\/ms\/maintain-even-playing-field-for-tvet","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Maintain even playing field for TVET\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5161\" class=\"elementor elementor-5161\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-section-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6809bacb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"6809bacb\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1ecc79c0\" data-id=\"1ecc79c0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c162aed elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5c162aed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.12.1 - 02-04-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>TECHNICAL and vocational education and training (TVET) is part and parcel of the country\u2019s higher education landscape.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why polytechnics and community colleges need to be treated with the same regard as public and private universities.<\/p>\n<p>Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said vocational colleges are \u201cimportant pillars\u201d in the development of good talents and manpower for nation-building.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cI have often emphasised that polytechnics and community colleges are not \u2018second chance\u2019 institutions. Instead, they move in tandem with the other higher learning institutions in our country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:quote -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>&#8220;I have often emphasised that polytechnics and community colleges are not \u2018second chance\u2019 institutions. Instead, they move in tandem with the other higher learning institutions in our country&#8221;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:quote --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Speaking during the official handing over of Higher Education Ministry duties in Sepang on Dec 14, Mohamed Khaled highlighted the need to strengthen existing higher learning institutions \u2013 most notably those that offer TVET courses.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe will ensure that the institutions are moving in the right direction through its leadership, mission and vision,\u201d he said, adding that the ministry is always open to input from other tertiary education stakeholders.<\/p>\n<p>During the event, Mohamed Khaled also revealed that the government has no intentions to increase the number of public universities in the country.<br \/><br \/>\u201cTwenty public universities are enough. These universities are categorised under research, comprehensive, and focused institutions that we hope will operate smoothly,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Moving forward, the minister said efforts will go towards ensuring all higher education institutions are of the same standing and provide quality education.<\/p>\n<p>He said the ministry hopes to reach a point where there is no distinction between the various higher learning institutions in the country.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe want to ensure that our higher education sector can lead to better knowledge and innovation,\u201d he said, adding that producing quality graduates is crucial for nation-building.<\/p>\n<p>Although there will not be any new public varsities, Mohamed Khaled said the government won\u2019t curb the setting up of private universities.<\/p>\n<p>Private universities, he said, can help to accommodate foreign students as the country strives to become a preferred education hub.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPublic universities have a limit on the intake of international students. Here\u2019s where private universities can play their role,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, Mohamed Khaled assured that he would carry out good policies that were introduced by his predecessor Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.These included the Keluarga Malaysia First Child Student Development Programme (Sulung), aimed at giving youths in the B40 community a better chance at pursuing higher education.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA change in ministers does not mean a change in policies. We will continue whatever that is good for the higher education sector in the country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Unlocking full potential<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Mohamed Khaled\u2019s recent appointment to the unity cabinet marks the second time the man is serving as higher education minister.<\/p>\n<p>The former Johor mentri besar previously held the portfolio for five years between 2008 and 2013.<\/p>\n<p>Mohamed Khaled, who likened his return to the ministry as a homecoming of sorts, said he would focus on issues faced by tertiary students.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe will look into marketability of graduates, education funding, as well as how to prepare them as the desired manpower in the 21st century,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Above all, he stressed that the bigger purpose of higher education is to give opportunities to individuals to develop and better themselves.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA country\u2019s success in higher education is a critical factor for national transformation. Higher education plays an important role as an agent of change for the nation,\u201d he said, adding that higher learning institutions need to hone talents and skills, instead of just producing graduates with good grades.<\/p>\n<p>The Kota Tinggi Member of Parliament reiterated his call on the importance of going beyond academics at a separate event on Dec 16, where he once again stressed the importance of vocational colleges.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe cannot focus solely on academics; the country also needs technical fields and skills,\u201d he reportedly said after attending a Friday prayers event in his constituency.<\/p>\n<p>Mohamed Khaled vowed that the ministry would pay serious attention to the role and contribution of vocational colleges, and how they can further attract students\u2019 interest to acquire new skills.<\/p>\n<p>That sentiment to further propel TVET to new heights was shared by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.<\/p>\n<p>In an interview shared on social media on Dec 10, Yeoh explained that her ministry will look into strengthening TVET programmes in the country.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s currently too much focus on academics in Malaysia. Those who are good at learning usually get all of the attention,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>However, Yeoh said, that doesn\u2019t mean that youths who are less academically inclined should be sidelined. Instead, efforts should go towards unearthing other talents that they may have.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere may be some youths are good at doing business or at singing. There are so many talents out there and we need to provide youths with a platform to explore their interests,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Source: thestar.com.my<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Strong foundations: Mohamed Khaled highlighted the need to strengthen existing higher learning institutions. \u2013 IZZRAFIQ ALIAS\/The Star<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5803,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[116],"tags":[115],"class_list":["post-5161","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-tvet"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/propp.my\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5161","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/propp.my\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/propp.my\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/propp.my\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/propp.my\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5161"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/propp.my\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5161\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5807,"href":"https:\/\/propp.my\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5161\/revisions\/5807"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/propp.my\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/propp.my\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5161"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/propp.my\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5161"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/propp.my\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5161"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}