SHAH ALAM, May 20 — The Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin has called for the quality of teaching and learning at the university level to be improved to ensure that staff and students have sufficient expertise and access to the latest learning tools.
Her Royal Highness, who is also the pro-chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), said the quality improvement is aimed at ensuring that students receive support to understand the course content well.
“Universities also need to introduce preparation programmes so that students can compete globally. This includes programmes that incorporate aspects of language, culture and technical expertise,” Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin said in the royal address on the first day of the 96th UiTM Convocation ceremony here today.
Her Royal Highness said that given the information available today through various media channels, the ability and skills to analyse data using applications as well as any action in making decisions and even solving problems are ‘sharp skills’ that must be mastered by university students.
“Accordingly, universities must provide a modern and high-tech learning infrastructure so that they can train and educate their students to become more competitive at the global level,” said Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.
Meanwhile, Her Royal Highness also said the UiTM curriculum should be designed to meet the current situation and demand and must come from stakeholders in a context that enhances the visibility of the country’s human capital.
“UiTM should offer international standard courses and be recognised globally to be able to solve problems from different perspectives.
“Overall, the number of UiTM degree programmes that are fully accredited and listed in the Malaysian Qualifications Register has increased to 522 programmes as of December last year.
“Quality programmes are crucial in enhancing the professional skills of Bumiputera in this country,” Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin said.
The 15-day convocation ceremony which began today until June 3, will see a total of 24,713 graduates receiving their doctorate degrees, master’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, diplomas and professional certificates in their respective fields.
— Bernama
