Five new initiatives to attract more youths to pursue higher education, says minister

KOTA TINGGI: Five new initiatives will be introduced by the government next month to attract more youths to further their education at the tertiary level, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

The Higher Education Minister said that this included introducing a flexible studying environment, shortening the course period, and providing more industrial and work-based learning.

“We are aware that some of the concerns of the students not furthering their studies are due to the work market, unemployment, and having a low salary despite having a higher education level.

“All of these matters are being addressed; that is why the ministry is pushing for closer cooperation between the university and industry so that all graduates' products are marketable,” he said.

He said this when met by reporters after attending the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) Semarak Komuniti Kota Tinggi programme at SK Sedili Besar here on Sunday (May 28).

He said this when asked to comment on Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek's statement saying that 180,680 SPM students from the 2021 school session chose not to further their education.

Some of the new initiatives include introducing a flexible study course where students can alternate between taking their courses on campus for a few years and virtually for a few years. Also, courses that take four years to complete will be shortened to three years.

“We will also introduce a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) foundation programme, and those who entered the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN) through a polytechnic after completing three years of courses can jump straight to the second year.

“More industrial training and work-based learning programmes will also be introduced so that learning at the tertiary level will be much more fun,” he explained.

More to come