New higher education framework aims to produce graduates who will Excel in changing global scenario

PETALING JAYA: The Experiential Learning and Competency Based Education Landscape (Excel) framework just launched by the Higher Education Ministry aims to improve the matching of skills with industry needs and embrace changes in the global education scenario, among others.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad said Excel's development is in line with changes in the higher education scene as it shifts towards embracing teaching and learning in the new norm.

“It is a transformation framework for academic programmes developed by the ministry in collaboration with public universities, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and other agencies such as Talentcorp, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority and Social Security Organisation.

“Creating Excel is to further strengthen the implementation of the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education), and to also produce lifelong learners, innovative entrepreneurs, creative practitioners and change-makers.

“Excel was also developed to reduce the gap in the matching of skills that is always raised by the industry, which, at the same time, can further improve the quality of the higher education system,” she said during the virtual launch of Excel on Friday (Oct 15).

She said the framework focuses on competency-based education and experiential learning which is applied in all four of its cores.

The four cores are: Industry Driven Experiential Learning (Ideal); Community Resilience Experiential Learning (CARE); Research Infused Experiential Learning (REAL); and Personalised Experiential Learning (POISE), she added.

“Idea provides students with immersive experience learning with industry; CARE provides students with deep learning experience through close relationships with the community; REAL is a learning process that leads to the expansion of the mind with a culture of inquiry and explorative learning as the focus; and POISE is a curriculum structure which expands students' access to a variety of options according to their interests and tendencies.

“The ministry feels it is time to implement a shift towards methods that are more flexible in teaching and learning, and meeting industry needs optimally.

“These reforms are important to ensure the country’s higher education system is in line with the rapid pace of change in the global education system.

“I believe the framework can help produce graduates who are holistic and highly skilled,” she added.