MELAKA, Oct 24 — The RM2 billion allocation under Budget 2024 for polytechnics and community colleges (POLYCC) under the Higher Education Ministry can drive the development of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at these institutions.
Polytechnic Education and Community Colleges Department director-general Mohd Zahari Ismail said it is even more special when the field of research and innovation also received attention.
“For research and innovation, it will receive between RM2 million and RM5 million. It is an excellent budget considering this is the first time research and innovation at POLYCC institutions have received such an allocation,” he said to the press after officiating the 2023 Polytechnics and Community Colleges Academic Awards today.
In a related development, Zahari said the number of lecturers in these institutions is sufficient, at 10,000 individuals and teaching staff, serving in 36 polytechnics and 105 community colleges nationwide.
To strengthen the skills and expertise of the lecturers, the department will continue to expose them from time to time in related fields, especially TVET.
It includes sending lecturers serving at the institutions to further their studies, or follow training and courses in reskilling and upskilling, to ensure they can teach according to the needs and requirements of the current industry.
“These lecturers are also required to be in the industry for at least three months or a certain period, and when it ends, they can share the experience and knowledge gained with the students,” he said.
Earlier at the ceremony, Datuk Mohlis Jaafar was named the TVET Academic Figure Award recipient, alongside ten other recipients in various categories, including Research and Innovation Award, Publication Award, and Outstanding Lecturer Award.
— Bernama
