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Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has announced plans to bolster collaboration between industry players and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions in Malaysia by inviting representatives from German companies to join the National TVET Council. This initiative aims to facilitate the sharing of new knowledge and technology with students and local TVET institutions, fostering a dynamic learning environment that aligns with industry needs.
Dr Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the National TVET Council chairman, revealed that German industry players have expressed eagerness to contribute their expertise, experience, and technology to enhance various TVET institutions across Malaysia.
During his visit to Berlin in October, he extended invitations to the German Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia to nominate a representative to sit on the council, with one of the CEOs from a prominent German company set to join the council’s ranks.
In addition to knowledge exchange, foreign companies affiliated with the National TVET Council will have the opportunity to forge agreements to employ TVET graduates, offering them premium salaries. Ahmad Zahid highlighted that last year alone, over 238 agreements and collaborations were inked between.
These agreements included private companies, government-linked companies (GLCs), and government-linked investment companies (GLICs) with TVET institutions. Moreover, more than 10,000 agreements were established between the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) and the Ministry of Higher Education, demonstrating a growing synergy between industry and education sectors.
Drawing inspiration from Germany’s renowned vocational program, Ahmad Zahid stressed the importance of industry-academia collaboration in shaping a skilled and adaptable workforce. He commended Germany’s model, characterised by strong partnerships between industry leaders and academia, citing it as a blueprint for success.
Highlighting the pivotal role played by entities like the German Chamber of Commerce and companies such as Bosch, Ahmad Zahid underscored Malaysia’s aspiration to replicate Germany’s achievements in fostering a prosperous and sustainable future for its youth and the nation.
At a ceremony witnessed by Ahmad Zahid, the German-Malaysian Institute’s CEO Ahmad Solihin Mohamed Yusoff presented official appointment letters to 12 members of the Industry Advisory Council, including representatives from leading companies. This signifies a step forward in forging stronger ties between industry and education sectors, paving the way for a more dynamic and responsive TVET ecosystem in Malaysia.
Minister Fahmi Fadzil acknowledges the transformative potential of integrating advanced technologies to better serve Malaysia. After his recent visit to the Norwegian Radium Hospital, he highlighted the value of integrating technologies such as 5G into healthcare systems.
The showcase of a dedicated 5G indoor solution at the hospital highlighted opportunities for innovation in patient care and healthcare solutions, prompting Fahmi to underscore the importance of telecommunication service providers engaging in private-public partnerships to offer new services and solutions.
In envisioning the future of healthcare, Fahmi believes that hospitals can effectively bring healthcare to patients, moving beyond traditional models of patient transportation. The implementation of a dedicated 5G network in hospitals holds promise for advancements in the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, offering improved monitoring of inpatients and quicker access to test results for practitioners.
Furthermore, Fahmi highlighted the potential for future healthcare solutions such as remote-assisted surgery in teaching hospitals, which could enhance the learning experience and capabilities of medical practitioners. He expressed his intention to discuss these possibilities with the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Health, seeking to explore potential collaborations and initiatives in this domain.
Reflecting on his visit to Norway, Fahmi acknowledged the need for Malaysia to further engage with global partners to harness the potential of emerging technologies. He advocates being receptive to opportunities showcased during such visits, noting the eye-opening nature of the solutions demonstrated at the Norwegian Radium Hospital.
