Fresh start: Prof Mohamad Salmi (far left) and KUC co-founder and director Murugan Veloo (far right) receiving the commemorative plaque from Mohamed Khaled. Looking on is KUC co-founder and director Dr Mahendra Chandra.
Inaugurated the country’s 35th university college, Kings University College (KUC) is set to pioneer a seamless transition model for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) students to pursue higher education.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said KUC would play a vital role in bridging the gap between the two sectors.
The government, he said in a press release from KUC, is committed to enhancing the pathways for students to embark on their tertiary journey.
“By offering access from high-end TVET to the higher education sector, KUC will empower students with enhanced opportunities and career prospects for premium pay,” his inauguration ceremony address read.
The event was held in Putrajaya on Aug 7.
KUC vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohamad Salmi Mohd Sohod said its smart campus would be a learning space with an innovation hub housing laboratories and incubators in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, Internet of Things (IoT) and the metaverse.
The smart campus will also be green and environment, social and governance (ESG) compliant in line with the government’s Madani initiatives, he said, adding that KUC is also committed to addressing the urban poor’s needs by providing affordable access to high value outcomes.
KUC, which aims to create a robust and inclusive education innovation hub in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, focuses on industry-immersed education.
It is envisioned as a centre of excellence, offering a wide range of programmes designed to equip students with practical skills and knowledge that are highly sought after by employers in various industries.
Leveraging its partnerships with industry and international universities, KUC will provide the training ground for students to graduate with early exposure to industry.
Students will be able to earn while undertaking structured apprenticeships with the relevant industries.
One of the key highlights of the KUC model is the integration of hands-on industry-supported technical training alongside traditional academic disciplines. This approach ensures that students not only acquire theoretical knowledge, but also gain practical expertise that is invaluable in the real world.
As a result, graduates will be well-prepared to make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic growth and development.
KUC is also committed to work-based learning, structured internships and industry-run incubators to foster a practical learning environment.
Through strong industry collaborations and partnerships, the university college will provide real-world problems from industries for its students to solve.
