Industry on Campus able to produce skilled talent, says Higher Education Ministry

BALING: The implementation of Industry on Campus (IOC) involving community colleges and polytechnics in the country is capable of producing new skilled talent for the industrial sector in the future, says Higher Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar (pic).

He said the involvement of industry by providing input on the skills and knowledge required for the job market is in line with the IOC concept.

"This is part of the government's efforts to provide talent in the industrial sector in the future development of the country, which will also benefit the industry in terms of manpower,” he said.

He said this to reporters after officiating the Baling Community College IOC, and the launch of the 2023 Edition of the Polytechnic and Community College Education Department (JPPKK) IOC-based Rating Criteria Guidelines, at the Baling Community College on Sunday (Feb 26).

Abdul Razak said that thus far IOC has been implemented in six community colleges and polytechnics, which include Shah Alam Polytechnic and Kuala Langat Community College in Selangor; Tasek Gelugor METRO Polytechnic (Penang); and Ungku Omar Polytechnic in Ipoh (Perak).

"In total, there are 36 polytechnics and 105 community colleges. We are aiming for five or six more IOCs to be implemented, in stages, and based on the fields in the institutions involved. We will do it in a scheduled and focused manner. Among the target locations are in Johor Bahru, Johor and Pendang (Kedah)," he said.

In the meantime, he said that the launch of the 2023 Edition JPPKK IOC-Based Rating Criteria Guidelines will make it easier for industry and institutions which intend to implement IOC in the future. - Bernama