IN an increasingly digital world, photography and videography have become valuable skills and a competitive advantage in today’s workforce, particularly as visual content dominates social media.
Recognising the practical value of these skills across a wide range of disciplines, VTAR Institute recently sent 16 students and an instructor to Quzhou College of Technology in China for a one-month Photography, Videography and Digital Content Creation Programme.
The participants are from VTAR’s aesthetic services, hairdressing, bakery and electronic equipment programmes. The initiative marks the first international exchange programme in photography, videography and digital content creation jointly organised by the two institutions.
It also represents a significant expansion of their collaboration beyond advanced manufacturing into the digital creative industries, while injecting fresh momentum into the internationalisation of technical and vocational education and training (TVET), the institute said in a press release.
Noting the rapid growth of the digital economy and social media, VTAR Institute chief executive officer Tan Cheng Liang said short-form videos, livestreaming, e-commerce marketing, branding and digital communication have become essential components of modern society.
These skills extend to TVET disciplines, including future beauty therapists who need to present their professional work through compelling visual content, she added.
Hairdressers, for instance, must be able to document their creative styling techniques and build strong personal brands, while bakers and pastry chefs need to master food photography, short-form video production and social media marketing to enhance brand visibility and remain competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace.
For electronic equipment students, technical expertise alone is no longer sufficient. In addition to developing competencies in product design, equipment maintenance and technical applications, they must also learn to present innovations through digital media.
By effectively documenting technical projects, showcasing product development, and communicating technical knowledge through visual content, graduates will be better equipped to thrive in the era of smart technology and enhance their competitiveness in the digital economy, Tan said in the press release.
She added that the programme goes beyond teaching professional photography and videography techniques, also cultivating digital literacy, creative expression and content production skills.
Students are encouraged to tell the story of their professions through visual storytelling while strengthening their employability, entrepreneurial potential and adaptability to the evolving digital economy.
“I believe that after one month of systematic training, our students will not only acquire professional photography and videography skills but also enhance their digital content creation capabilities, broaden their international perspectives and strengthen their cross-cultural communication skills. These experiences will provide a solid foundation for their future careers,” she said.
Tan added that with the support of Quzhou College of Technology, VTAR has sent four batches of students to China for specialised training in industrial robotics and new energy vehicle technology.
Students who returned to Malaysia demonstrated significant improvements in technical competence, global exposure and personal development, while expressing their appreciation for the college’s comprehensive teaching arrangements and professional instructors, she said.
The launch of the photography and videography programme now allows students from a wider range of disciplines to participate in international learning experiences and explore new opportunities in vocational education, she added.
Tan emphasised that future professionals must possess not only strong technical expertise but also digital communication skills and global competitiveness, which remain key priorities in VTAR’s internationalisation strategy.
Looking ahead, VTAR hopes to strengthen its partnership with Quzhou College of Technology by introducing more international exchange programmes across different disciplines.
Through closer collaboration, both institutions aim to explore new models of international vocational education and nurture highly skilled professionals equipped with global perspectives, innovative thinking and industry relevant competencies, while contributing to a new milestone in Malaysia–China TVET cooperation, the press release read.
