IPOH: The Higher Education Ministry will expand the work-based learning programme involving institutions of higher learning, says its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
He said this would help students adapt to needs and demands in new industrial sectors.
Zambry said such a transformation was necessary for the higher education system because rapid development in the world made new job skills necessary.
“The ministry has been given a special task to plan in terms of technical education, especially in the context of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), to ensure that the workforce required by new industries is managed accordingly.
“We are using the ‘triple helix’ approach, where there is cooperation between the government and the industries.
“In this way, the industries will also participate in the teaching process,” he told reporters after launching the Index Nexus Polycc: Synergy between Polycc and Industries at the Ungku Omar Polytechnic here on Wednesday (Sept 4).
Zambry said under the programme, students would not just stay on campus throughout their courses but may choose to spend one year in their chosen industry.
“‘We are even thinking of allowing students in a four-year degree programme to spend two years on campus, and two years in their selected industry.
“Collaboration with the industry is crucial in achieving the goal, and this represents a significant change and transformation in the country’s higher education system,” he added.
Zambry said the work-based learning programme had begun in several universities that are part of the Malaysian Technical University Network, which consists of four institutions.
“We have also implemented this at the polytechnic level, such as in the premier Ungku Omar Polytechnic where courses are offered up to degree level,” he said.
