MELAKA: The Universiti Teknikal Melaka (UTeM) community is elated after Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Massila Kamalrudin was honoured with an award for her contributions towards the growth of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Malaysia.
In a statement, UTeM said its lecturers and students were pleased with the recognition presented by Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud during the Malaysia Education and TVET Awards (META) 2024 held at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (Aug 15).
Massila received Malaysia's Outstanding Personality Award for TVET Leadership during the event.
The statement said the recognition reflects Massila’s strategic and impactful leadership in advancing UTeM and the country's TVET sector.
"Under her leadership, UTeM has developed five strategic approaches, with the first emphasising the empowerment of TVET and career advancement," it said.
Her leadership has driven UTeM’s success in TVET education.
"Additionally, Massila's efforts have positioned UTeM as a preferred partner in university-industry collaborations, as well as TVET initiatives and industrial sector development," the statement said.
At a national level, UTeM said Massila was a key figure in advancing TVET in Malaysia, including the successful implementation of the Jelita (Job Empowerment by Learning and Inclusive Technical Advancement) programme.
Her leadership has fostered strategic collaborations with various global higher education institutions in TVET, increasing the number of international students pursuing studies in the field in the country.
As the chairman of the Technical Universities Malaysia (MTUN) committee, Massila has spearheaded the development of the Advanced TVET 2030 Plan, enhancing the integration of TVET initiatives across four MTUN universities.
This plan emphasises talent development through technical expertise, soft skills, and entrepreneurship in higher education, aligning with the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF).
At the META 2024 ceremony, Massila was awarded a trophy and certificate in recognition of her achievements.
The event was also attended by UTeM’s senior management team, including deputy vice-chancellors Professor Dr Zulkifilie Ibrahim, Prof Dr Ghazali Omar, Prof Madya Datuk Dr Sabri Mohamad Sharif, and Prof Madya Mohd Rahimi Yusoff.
