MDEC, MOHE award digital tech status in bid to boost talent pipeline to meet demand

• Eight local universities, five polytechnics receive endorsement, awarded premier digital status
• Initiative to further nurture high potential digital tech institutions, make them world class

MALAYSIA Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) together with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) awarded eight universities and five polytechnic schools in Malaysia with Premier Digital Tech University and Preferred Digital Tech Polytechnic status respectively. These institutions are recognised for their qualifications and commitment in offering top-notch digital technology courses and ensuring highly-skilled graduates continue to flourish and fill future digital job demands locally and globally

The eight universities are University of Malaya (UM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Taylor’s University, Sunway University, Multimedia University (MMU), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC), and Asia Pacific University (APU). For Preferred Digital Tech Polytechnics status, the five polytechnics are Politeknik Ungku Omar in Perak, Politeknik Balik Pulau in Penang, Politeknik Mersing in Johor, Politeknik Sultan Idris Shah in Selangor, and Politeknik Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin in Terengganu.

“We need to ensure that our children who are entering tertiary education receive quality education, hence it is important that we upgrade our local universities and polytechnics. Careers in digital technology, which will grow in importance as we usher in the 4^th Industrial Revolution, will be a vital part of Malaysia’s future. As such, we need to create opportunities and provide ample resources for students. MOHE is proud to support this concerted effort as it opens the way for institutions of higher learning (IHL) to be more progressive, especially so as we embark on Education 4.0,” said Idris Jusoh (pic), Minister of Higher Education.

Through recognising and awarding the current group of institutions, MDEC is hoping to inspire more to follow in their footsteps and commit in educating future leaders.

“Through this positive partnership with MOHE, industry partners, and ecosystem players, we can further nurture high potential digital tech institutions and make them world class to ensure Malaysia retains its top talents.  We are confident that these awarded institutions will produce more high quality talent for digital economy jobs. The expectations right now are very high for our education system to rise up to the challenge of driving human capital development. For this, we are fully committed in working closely with MOHE to meet that expectation,” said Yasmin Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer of MDEC.

Premier Digital Tech Universities and Preferred Digital Tech Polytechnics are institutions that offer end-to-end solutions for students, educators and industry partners. With the help from MOHE, the digital technology curriculum will be restructured and reviewed to ensure students receive relevant industry-based skillsets that are aligned to industry needs.

The Premier Digital Tech Universities and Preferred Digital Tech Polytechnics will also provide Digital Career Centres that offer a comprehensive range of services on career development, programmes and experiential learning, internship opportunities and employment assistance.

This will be achieved through engagement with key industry players, including IBM, Fusionex, F-Secure, Inspidea, Streamline Studios, Grab, and industry associations, such as PIKOM, recruitment agencies, and academicians.

Students can seek career guidance, internship support, information on education funds from providers, like Yayasan Khazanah, Yayasan Peneraju, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), PETRONAS and Averis, latest updates on in-demand careers and job markets, training opportunities as well as sign up for employment and career planning workshops.

With this initiative, school leavers who show a keen talent in digital creativity and innovation will be granted easy access to any Premier Digital Tech Universities and Preferred Digital Tech Polytechnics should they wish to continue their studies in digital technology courses there under the Green Lane enrolment programme. They will also get the chance to complete their internships with key industry players and renowned digital technology corporations, which will be responsible for transforming them into industry-ready graduates.

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