The Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) organized a benchmarking visit for the TESDA Women’s Center (TWC) from September 17 to 20, 2024. A delegation of nine (9) TWC officials went to the Politeknik Port Dickson (PPD), a fellow Platinum-level TVET institution accredited by the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC).
This benchmarking program aimed to identify best practices, assess alignment with international standards, facilitate knowledge sharing, strengthen TWC’s position as a leading TVET institution, and promote regional collaboration. To attain these objectives, TWC focused on a comprehensive evaluation of PPD’s curriculum, teaching and learning methodologies, industry engagement, student support services, faculty development, and quality assurance mechanisms.
Politeknik Port Dickson (PPD) welcomes delegates from TESDA Women’s Center (TWC) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport
TWC delegates attend the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro-tourism (MAHA) Show 2024
On September 17, 2024, PPD officials, headed by Dr. Isdawati binti Ismail, welcomed the TWC delegates and accompanied them to the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro-tourism (MAHA) Show 2024, which was held at Selangor, Malaysia. Since its establishment in 1923, the MAHA Show only conducts every two years. It was fortunate that TWC could engage in the agricultural exhibition this year as MAHA showcased Malaysia's rich farming heritage and innovations in the agriculture sector.
Screenshots of the podcast sessions of Dr. Isdawati binti Ismail and Mr. Felizardo R. Colambo, TESDA Deputy Director General for Special Concerns (top); and Dr. Diana Ahmad Busra with Ms. Mylene H. Somera, TWC Acting Chief TESD Specialist (bottom)
The second day was dedicated to TWC’s benchmarking activities. In the opening ceremony, PPD shared its journey in achieving its APACC Platinum award. Following this, TWC joined the two-part sessions of eDuCast, a live podcast hosted by PPD, in which they delved into TVET Competency Recognition Driving Graduate Quality & Employability. In its first session, Dr. Isdawati binti Ismail together with Mr. Felizardo R. Colambo, TESDA Deputy Director General for Special Concerns, discussed some best practices and strategies of PPD and TWC as Platinum-level institutions. Meanwhile, during the second session, podcast moderator Dr. Diana Ahmad Busra and Ms. Mylene H. Somera, TWC Acting Chief TESD Specialist, talked about the issues surrounding women’s development in TVET.
TWC participants visit around PPD campus
TWC conducted visits around the PPD campus such as the Bilik Persidangan, Centre of Architecture Technology (CaRT), Hajah Kundur Heritage House, and the Fundamental Green Energy Lab. The tour continued in the afternoon wherein they went to the Welding Workshop, and Center for Electrical Energy Technology and Services (CENTS). The visit culminated at Glory Beach Resort with a Turtle Talk and Tour.
Group photo of TWC with HCL Technologies, PPD’s industry partner
During the last day, TWC visited HCL Technologies, an industry partner of PPD that has been recognized for having equally large SAP delivery centers in the region and operates between Kuala Lumpur and Penang. The delegates also went to the 20th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), an annual trade fair organized by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation. At the trade fair, TWC participants were able to meet some members of MAYRALAB, which is PPD’s another valued industry partner. The participants also spent their free time exploring some tourist spots in Kuala Lumpur City Center, including the Petronas Twin Towers.
The TWC delegates officially departed for Manila, Philippines on September 20, 2024, and returned with enriched experiences provided by CPSC and Politeknik Port Dickson in the study visit.
