In partnership with Universiti Tun Hussein Onn (UTHM), and the Malaysia Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (MyRIVET), the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) recently implemented the Collaborative Regional Program on Revolutionize TVET: Innovation in Transformational Pedagogy, Competency-Building, and International Collaboration from October 2 to 6, 2023. The training program was conducted at the UTHM Campus and the Katerina Hotel, Johor, Malaysia and was attended by TVET practitioners from Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The program aimed to have the participants understand the diversity of TVET teaching methodologies to enhance TVET educators’ professional development; establish transversal competency skills of TVET educators to be used as a reference within and outside institutions; and engage TVET educators between countries to strengthen networking for the internationalization of TVET.
The training program was managed and supervised by the following: CPSC Director General, Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe; UTHM Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Ruzairi bin Abdul Rahim; MyRIVET Director, Prof. Emeritus Dr. Jailani Md. Yunos; and UTHM Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education, Prof. Ts. Dr. Abdul Rasid Abdul Razzaq.
Meanwhile, CPSC Governing Board-Engaged Faculty Consultant, Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen served as the Program Coordinator and Resource Person. Local Coordinators from UTHM and MyRIVET also contributed as part of the program management. These include officials from MyRIVET namely: Department of Global Cooperation Head, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Tee Tze Kiong; Department of Training and Career Development Head, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Mimi Mohaffyza Mohamad; Deputy Director, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Lai Chee Sern; and Department of Research, Innovation, and Consultancy Head, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Badaruddin Ibrahim.
The program management team grace the inaugural ceremony
The inaugural ceremony was conducted on October 2, 2023 at the UTHM Campus. Attendees include officials from UTHM namely: Vice Chancellor Ts. Dr. Rahim, who delivered the welcoming remarks, and Dato’ Seri Ibrahim Ahmad, Chairman of the Board of Directors. Prof. Wickramasinghe also addressed the participants as part of the opening remarks.
As a symbol to affirm the continued partnership between CPSC and UTHM, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two parties during the inaugural ceremony. Prof. Wickramasinghe and Dato’ Ahmad represented the two institutions. In addition, another MoU signing between UTHM and Seikou Systec ensued. The ceremony hoped for more fruitful collaborations in the future.
The five-day training program focused on the following key topics that aimed to enhance TVET teaching methodologies to elevate personal and professional development, transversal competency skills for effective TVET, and promote internationalization of TVET by facilitating partnerships and linkages between TVET educators and institutions. Theme papers were delivered by the resource persons on specific topics including: Introduction to PEEP, TVET-GOGY and Future Teaching and Learning, Transversal Skill for TVET, Building Transversal Competency with TRIZ, and International Collaboration and Partnerships. In addition, workshops and activities were facilitated by the resource persons alongside the lecture sessions.
Moreover, an international seminar entitled Revolutionize TVET: Innovation in Transformational Pedagogy, Competency Building and International Collaboration was conducted on October 3, 2023. This event aimed for the integration of innovation in transformational pedagogy, competency building, and international collaboration as a comprehensive approach to education.The seminar convened industry and academic experts including representatives from other technical institutions such as KKTM Sri Gading, and KKTM Rembau. An open forum ensued after the keynote sessions delivered by the resource persons.
To supplement the discussions, two institutional visits to UTHM and KKTM MARA were also facilitated. In UTHM, the participants were oriented on their pioneering doctoral program in TVET, as the only institute in Malaysia offering the course. They were also invited to tour the facilities within the Department of Education. In KKTM MARA, the participants were able to visit some of their facilities including the BIM Laboratory.
Group photo during the closing ceremony
The closing ceremony was held on October 5, 2023. Selected participants shared their learnings, reflections, and feedback throughout the five-day program. Dr. Ulaganathen provided the summary of the program and closing remarks while Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Kiong delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the UTHM and MyRIVET teams. Lastly, closing speeches from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sern and Prof. Wickramasinghe were also delivered.
