MIMOS welcomes calls to enhance TVET in Malaysia

• Nurul Izzah Anwar urged institutions and industry players to participate in
• Curriculum development to boost TVET in view of relevancy

THE Head of TVET Empowerment Committee Nurul Izzah Anwar has called on MIMOS, the national applied research and development centre, to be one of the agencies that lead in curriculum development to boost Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in view of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

Nurul Izzah said there was an urgent need for the relevant agencies and industry players to lead, or at least participate actively, in curriculum development to improve programme quality and graduate employability.

“MIMOS has done a lot to promote TVET development through various programmes such as today’s seminar entitled 4IR: TVET as an Enabler for Industry 4.0, and these initiatives and efforts are highly commended.

“As we are embracing 4IR, we need to produce highly-skilled generations that have the knowledge to use the 4IR technologies.

“The government cannot do this alone, hence it is important for the industry players and agencies to work together to provide support and resources for TVET programmes,” she said after closing the 4IR : TVET as an Enabler for Industry 4.0 Seminar.

MIMOS president and chief executive officer Ahmad Rizan Ibrahim, welcomed the idea and looks forward to sharing the agency’s services and resources.

Organised by MIMOS, the seminar was aimed at gaining better understanding on the new Government directions, industry expectations and institutions’ capacity with regard to TVET.

In his opening speech, Ahmad Rizan said MIMOS offers talent development facilities to complement and support TVET such as PERDA Advanced Technical Institute (PERDA-Tech) which offers classes in 3D Design, and MIMOS-Northern Corridor Implementation Authority Advanced Competency Development Centre offering semiconductor fabricating technologies training, among others.

“MIMOS always welcome the Government’s move to transform TVET and support 4IR-related skills development. Apart from training opportunities in areas of Advanced Electronics (e.g. development of IoT apps and services, 3D-Design etc), we also provide an Open Innovation Lab for technopreneurs and startups.

“MIMOS looks forward to sharing our expertise and resources with institutions like polytechnics and skills institutes, such as what we are doing with PERDA-Tech as well as state-based innovation centre like Penang Skills Development Centre and the upcoming Terengganu Digital Hub,” he said.

The 4IR: TVET as an Enabler for Industry 4.0 Seminar today saw an intense deliberation among the industry players on the topic. Among the speakers include Higher Education Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Management) Kamel Mohamad; MIMOS Semiconductor (M) Sdn. Bhd General Manager Wan Azli Wan Ismail; Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Council Member Dr. Helena Eian; Penang Skills Development Centre Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Ali Hajah Mydin; Infinecs Systems Sdn Bhd Managing Director Kalai Selvan Subramaniam; and Malaysian Investment Development Authority Director Mohamad Ismail Abu Bakar.