Future-proof skills: UCSI University pro-chancellor Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin Tuanku Muhriz (third left) presenting a token of appreciation to Zambry during the launch. Looking on are (from left) ChamRun Digital group chief executive officer Adjunct Prof Dr Behrang Parhizkar, Prof Siti Hamisah, UCSI Group founder and executive chairman Datuk Peter Ng and UCSI University Adjunct Prof Khairy Jamaluddin.
THE Higher Education Ministry wants at least 55% of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers to enrol in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes by 2025.
This, said its minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, is in line with the 12th Malaysia Plan initiatives that encourage graduates to obtain the Malaysian Skills Certificate.
He was speaking during the launch of Digital Skills TVET, the nation’s first TVET programme that focuses on digital marketing.
Developed by UCSI University in collaboration with the Australian Digital Academy, ChamRun Digital and Malaysia Board of Technologist, the three-month distance learning programme is conducted by international digital marketing experts.
Zambry said Digital Skills TVET was a good launch pad to careers in the RM2.84tril global digital marketing industry.
Under the syllabus, students will learn from case studies and try their hand at running campaigns on various digital platforms.
They will also learn marketing strategy, content creation, sales funnel implementation, data analytics, search engine optimisation and AI tools.
“We need more initiatives like Digital Skills TVET to capture the imagination of our youth.
“In Malaysia alone, digital marketing accounted for 72% of total advertising revenue worth about RM6bil last year.
“We need to nurture future-proof talent who will go on to exceed the needs of the global industry.
“Today’s launch supports the ministry’s commitment to revolutionise TVET in Malaysia and I would like to congratulate UCSI for taking this bold move and opening the gateways of opportunity for thousands of Malaysians,” he said in his speech at the UCSI Kuala Lumpur campus on Jan 29.
It was Zambry’s first visit to a private institution as Higher Education Minister.
UCSI vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir said this was the first time the varsity was committing to a digital TVET endeavour.
“We understand how important digital TVET is to the Malaysian economy and decided to come up with a different initiative,” she said, adding that higher education must evolve to meet the needs and learning preferences of the new generation.“We are ready to partner with the ministry for the furtherance of initiatives like this,” she said in a press release.
During the event, Zambry also held a dialogue on “The Direction of Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia”.
