Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO) today signed the Certificate of Collaboration (CoC) with 18 agencies and industry partners in the state for partnerships involving knowledge, skills and technology.
PUO director Dr Shamsuri Abdullah said the collaborative effort covers aspects of providing a place for students' industrial training and academia-industry linkage, sharing industry expertise as visiting lecturers, equipment donations and research grants.
“This bilateral effort is also important to meet the needs of the industry and address some problems such as mismatch or training that is not required by the industry and unsatisfactory facilities.
“This collaboration also includes sharing of expertise and various joint ventures for the good and progress of both parties through polytechnic-industry collaboration in the form of academic development and innovation research,” he said in his speech at the media appreciation, Industry Advisory Committee members’ appointment letters presentation and the signing of the CoC at the PUO Jubilee Hall, here, today.
Shamsuri expressed hope that strategic cooperation with industry partners will be an important contributor to the effectiveness and progress of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution.
He said the cooperation is crucial considering that the country is not only witnessing a high rate of youth unemployment but is also trapped in an underemployment situation when the salary received is not commensurate with the qualifications.
“Data shows that 90 per cent of TVET graduates secured employment, but 90 per cent of that number is only paid around RM2,000 a month even though the government has spent more than RM6.7 billion on TVET, so this is why collaboration with industry players is made so that there will be reform implemented,” he said.
The 18 industries and agencies involved are YC Lee Architect; CSME Consortium; GB Kuari Sdn Bhd; Kelab Kesenian Kompang and Gamelan Noreasy; Sigtech Engineering Sdn Bhd; TM Technology Services Sdn Bhd and Powerit Solutions Sdn Bhd.
Also involved are Ingeniouscity Solution; Hartalega Sdn Bhd; Daikin Malaysia Sales & Service Sdn Bhd; Eduspace Enterprise; Hovid Berhad; Kamaya Electric (M) Sdn Bhd; Weldmart; Reverend nue Discovery Sdn Bhd; Favotech System Sdn Bhd and Seri Manjung Vocational College.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency