MELAKA: The Defence Ministry is committed to enhancing the academic qualifications of military personnel, particularly those with only Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualifications, through an increased allocation for the Work-Based Learning (WBL) programme this year.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said RM10mil had been allocated for the programme this year, benefitting 1,520 military personnel compared with RM3mil last year.
He said the higher allocation would enable more military personnel to further their studies and obtain academic recognition based on the experience and skills gained throughout their service.
“This programme is an intervention by the ministry to ensure military personnel have better marketability after completing their service, while helping them secure employment and a more stable income.
“Most military personnel enter the service with only SPM qualifications, but throughout nearly 20 years of service, they accumulate extensive experience, skills and competencies,” he said after launching the ministry’s WBL programme at Terendak Army Camp Melaka here yesterday.
Among those present were Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain, Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters’ Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Datuk Seri Muhammad Huzaimi Sabri and Melaka housing, local government, climate change and disaster management committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin.
Mohamed Khaled said without formal certification, the experience and skills possessed by military personnel would be difficult for industries to recognise, affecting their employment opportunities after retirement.
“If no intervention is carried out, they will leave the service with the same qualification and this will certainly make it more difficult for them to secure employment in an increasingly competitive job market,” he said.
Through collaborations with higher learning institutions, he added, the experience and skills of military personnel would be assessed and recognised to qualify them for diplomas or formal academic certificates through a WBL approach.
Mohamed Khaled said the programme was also crucial as most military personnel retire at around the age of 41 while still having family commitments.
“With better academic qualifications, they would be able to secure employment after retirement while reducing the risk of financial hardship if they rely solely on pensions and welfare assistance.”
He added that 461 military personnel had benefitted from the WBL programme: 231 personnel from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and 230 from Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), with all participants expected to complete their studies in November and December this year.
He said the programme had been expanded this year to involve 12 higher learning institutions offering nearly 50 academic programmes, including business administration, culinary arts, defence technology and logistics management.
Earlier, Mohamed Khaled witnessed the exchange of Memorandums of Agreement between the Armed Forces and UiTM, UPNM and City University Malaysia to strengthen strategic cooperation in implementing the programme.
He also presented certificates of completion to 36 Cohort 1/2025 participants and offer letters to 24 new Cohort 2/2026 participants, who will commence their studies in June.
Meanwhile, Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) warrant officer I UWW Mohd Suhaily Azlan Ahmad said his most challenging experience is completing all assignments while in a submarine.
“As part of the submarine crew, I was asked to complete my assignments inside the naval vessel. That was a memorable experience for me,” said the 38-year-old who received his Diploma
in Defence Service Technology from UPNM.
Mohd Suhaily, who is based at the RMN’s Submarine Training Centre (STC) in Sepanggar, Sabah, was elated to have completed his higher education studies.
“I have served RMN for 19 years and being awarded this diploma will surely be helpful to pursue careers in other fields after retirement.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the Defence Minister and RMN for giving me this opportunity.”
Another graduate from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) warrant officer II Mohd Ghadaffi Kamarudin said the WBL programme was beneficial to military personnel like him to obtain higher education qualifications.
He said he pursued sports studies at UiTM as he is currently a physical coach in RMAF.
“The study corresponds with my career in the force and getting a scroll in this event is very meaningful to me,” said the 41-year-old who is now attached to RMAF’s Sendayan Air Force Base in Negri Sembilan.
Mohd Ghadaffi said he hopes the WBL programme will continue to enable more military personnel to obtain their higher education scrolls.
“I would like to thank to all those who gave me this opportunity, especially RMAF and the Armed Forces,” he added.
