DATE:
August 26 - September 1, 2024
Type:
Customized Program
PARTNER ORGANIZATION:
Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), and
Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco

Background

The Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco are presently making viable efforts to uplift the quality of its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs by learning from the best practices of various TVET institutions in Asia. As such, fifteen (15) school administrators/directors from the Salesian Sisters would undertake a series of benchmarking visits with institutions in Malaysia and Singapore.

The Colombo Plan Staff College, as an inter-governmental organization for human resources development through TVET development in the Asia Pacific region, assists in facilitating the exchange of best practices in TVET, creating an avenue for stimulated discussions among TVET stakeholders. CPSC actively facilitates the exchange of proven best practices in TVET among its member countries. This collaborative approach involves sharing successful strategies, policies, and programs that have effectively advanced technical and vocational education.

Thus, CPSC is pleased to identify opportunities for cooperation with the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco through this benchmarking program.

Objectives of the Study Tour

The study visit is designed to facilitate a comprehensive exchange of best practices among Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, with a special emphasis on diploma programs and industry partnership in Malaysia and Singapore. The objectives of the study tour are the following:

  • Exposure to Diploma Programs: The primary focus of the study tour is to expose participants to the best practices implemented by TVET institutions in Malaysia and Singapore and their respective diploma programs. This involves a detailed examination of curriculum structures, teaching methodologies, and industry integration to understand and appreciate successful models.
  • Exploration of Industry Partnership: The study tour aims to provide a thorough exploration of the dual training system or Industry Partnership, a distinctive feature of TVET in both countries. Participants will gain insights into the effective collaboration between educational institutions and industry partners, examining how technical knowledge is seamlessly combined with practical, hands-on experiences.
  • Identification and Documentation of Best Practices: Through site visits, interactions with educators, and engagement with industry stakeholders, the study tour seeks to identify and document best practices in diploma programs and the industry partnership. This documentation serves as a valuable resource for participants to implement positive changes in their respective institutions.
  • Cross-Cultural Knowledge Exchange: The study tour fosters a rich cross-cultural exchange among participants, creating a platform for the sharing of diverse perspectives, challenges, and innovative solutions. This collaborative environment encourages a deeper understanding of how different cultural contexts influence TVET practices.
  • Networking and Collaboration: Participants will have the opportunity to establish professional connections with educators, administrators, and industry representatives from Malaysia and Singapore. This networking not only enhances personal and institutional relationships but also lays the groundwork for potential future collaborations.
  • Inspiration for Institutional Improvement: The ultimate goal of the study tour is to inspire positive changes within participants' own TVET institutions. By showcasing successful models and strategies, the tour aims to empower educators and administrators with the knowledge and motivation to enhance the quality and effectiveness of diploma programs and the dual training system.

Instructional Strategies

To facilitate productive and interactive learning, the following instructional strategies will be utilized to effectively train the participants:

  • Face-to-face orientation
  • Study Visits
  • Experience Sharing

Date and Platform

The program will be conducted in APACC-accredited TVET Institutions in Malaysia and renowned polytechnic and technical education institutes in Singapore from August 26 – September 1, 2024.

Program Schedule

Description of Institutions

The Politeknik Port Dickson (PPD), located at a 100acre area in Si Rusa, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, was established in 1990. It is currently headed by the Director, Mr. Haji Hasan Bin Mohd Sharif. The Polytechnic caters to about 5,500 students annually through the efforts of 363 full-time faculty members and 110 full-time staff.

PPD envisions to be a towering TVET institution globally. Its mission is to produce quality, holistic and well-balanced TVET graduates with entrepreneurship to fulfill the needs of the nation, to develop and sustain smart partnerships with relevant parties locally and internationally, and to benefit society through education, research and innovation. PPD is a recipient of the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) Platinum Award in 2023.

The Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA (KKTM) Masjid Tanah is located at a 70-acre area in Melaka, Malaysia and was established in 1966. It is currently headed by its Director, Mr. Shabudin Bin Said. KKTM caters to an average of 542 students annually, employing 65 teaching staff and 25 non-teaching staff.

KKTM’s vision is to be an “Outstanding and Trustworthy Organization in Upholding the Nation’s Pride” with a mission to shape a holistic TVET Human Capital with entrepreneurial values. KKTM is a recipient of the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) Platinum Award in 2022.

Established as an institution of higher learning in 1992, Nanyang Polytechnic's (NYP) academic schools offer quality education and training through 40 full-time diploma courses and common entry programmes. NYP also has a full suite of continuing education and training (CET) options for lifelong learning, ranging from specialist and advanced diplomas, to SkillsFuture modules and courses.

NYP envisions to be The Innovative Polytechnic, a Nexus of Future-ready People, and Learners & Industry with a mission to empower learners for work & life; co-create with industry for growth & sustainability. NYP's Asian Culinary Institute and the Singapore Institute of Retail Studies are CET institutes set up in partnership with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to champion and transform Singapore's F&B and retail sectors respectively. A third NYP CET institute - the National Centre of Excellence for Workplace Learning - also set up in collaboration with SSG, spearheads the development of progressive workplace learning strategies and programmes for companies in Singapore.

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) is a postsecondary education institution and statutory board under the purview of the Ministry of Education in Singapore.

Established by the Ministry of Education, it was formerly known as Vocational and Industrial Training Board (VITB). ITE has three colleges, ITE College West, ITE College Central and ITE College East. It offers the National ITE Certificate (NITEC), Higher NITEC, Technical Diploma and Work-Study Diploma.

Apart from providing vocational education to secondary school graduates, ITE offers apprenticeships for the skilled trades and diplomas in vocational education for skilled technicians and workers in support roles in professions such as accountancy, architecture, business administration, engineering and nursing.