In view of the need for the present TVET leadership to adopt change, formulate strategies to implement it, and bring readiness to all the staff members, the Colombo Plan Staff College and the Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education (DPCCE) Malaysia organized the online in-country program on change management of TVET institutions from March 1-5, 2021. The program was attended by 48 Malaysian directors and deputy directors from polytechnic and community colleges nationwide and was conducted via Zoom.
The program was organized with the premise and realization that it is a responsibility of the leadership to adopt change, formulate strategies to implement it, and bring readiness to all the staff members. This program aims to impart necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities to the esteemed participants of DPCCE and institutions under its purview.
Supervising the program is Dr. Ramhari Lamichhane, CPSC Director General and Ms. Zainab Ahmad, Director General of DPCCE. Arrangements and program resources were coordinated by Engr. Sanyog Bhattarai, CPSC Faculty Specialist. Meanwhile, Dr. Romulita Alto, CPSC’s Project-Based Faculty Consultant and Engr. Abdul Ghani Rajput, CPSC Faculty Specialist, provided additional resources as speakers. In addition, Ms. Nurhafizah Yahaya, Senior Assistant Director at the Competency and Career Enhancement Division of DPCCE, coordinated the local resource requirements.
Ms. Zainab Ahmed, DPCCE Director General, giving her opening speech.
The opening program was attended by key officials from DPCCE including Mr. Roslee bin Yahya, Senior Director for Competency and Mr. Muhammad Saiful Nizam bin Khalid, Deputy Director of Competency and Career Enhancement Division. In her opening speech. Ms. Zainab mentioned that despite the challenges bought by the Covid-19 pandemic, CPSC has been successful in organizing training opportunities and activities to its member countries and in Malaysia, in particular, in which 49 TVET administrators and officials have been jointly trained by DPCCE and CPSC since the lockdowns started. She hailed the continuous cooperation and successful implementation of the training programs despite the challenges and expressed her optimism on the success of the program in imparting the necessary skills to further carry on the need to promote quality management in TVET institutions.
Other notable officials present during the opening ceremony include: (1) Mr. Mohd Saiful Nizam Bin Khalid, Deputy Director of the Competency and Career Enhancement Division; (2) Ms. Nurhafizah Binti Yahaya, Senior Assistant Director of the Competency and Career Enhancement Division and (3) Ms. Nawwar Adibah Binti Wahid, Senior Assistant Director of the Competency and Career Enhancement Division.
Topics discussed during the five-day program include: (1) Concept and guiding principles of change management; (2) Strategies and tools to address change management in TVET; (3) Application of the PDCA model in change management and (4) Implication of change management to develop an action plan. The participants also provided an action plan, presented on the session, to outline the practical applications of their lessons to the actual context.
Ms. Zainab Ahmed, DPCCE Director General, giving her opening speech.
During the closing ceremony, both organizations affirmed the successful implementation of the program. In his closing speech, Mr. Roslee bin Yahya mentioned the crucial role that leadership plays in the success of the organization. He also noted Malaysia’s emphasis on enhancing the leadership capabilities of its TVET administrators and hailed this program as a significant activity in order to fulfill this plan. In response, Dr. Ramhari Lamichane mentioned the need to promote “learner-centered learning” environment and the shift from traditional TVET practices to the one oriented towards research and market-based direction. In addition to the officials that attended the opening ceremony, Dr. Hj. Abd Latif Bin Ahmad, the Director of the Competency and Career Enhancement Division, also attended the closing ceremony.
The participants’ group picture.
