PUTRAJAYA: Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) is ready to play its role in strengthening the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) by sharing its resources, expertise and equipment, says Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

       He said the three branches of UniKL, a TVET institution under the purview of the Rural Development Ministry (KPLB), would be involved under the TVET Collaboration Hub initiative.

       They are UniKL-Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology under the Satellite Communication and Avionics System Integration Cluster, UniKL Malaysia France Institute and UniKL Asia Rail Centre, under the Robotics and Industrial Automation Cluster.

       “UniKL is ready to play its role in driving synergistic collaboration between TVET institutions, government and industry through the sharing of resources, expertise and equipment for TVET empowerment,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       On Thursday, the National TVET Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob agreed to the implementation of a TVET Collaboration Hub involving 11 ministries that will be coordinated by the Higher Education Ministry.

       The meeting also agreed to the establishment of the Government-Industry TVET Coordination Body in the government’s efforts to strengthen the TVET ecosystem, making it the top choice among youths.

       Mahdzir added that KPLB has 279 TVET educational institutions nationwide that have strengths and are able to match the needs of the industry.

       The minister said that the ministry’s TVET collaboration with the industry was established through the signing of 227 memorandum of understanding with active status.

       The collaboration includes the supply of the latest technology, expertise and professional training, programme development, instructors and trainees, technology and knowledge transfer, upskilling and reskilling, he said.

       “This collaboration will ensure that all KPLB TVET trainees are equipped with high marketability skills according to the needs of the industry with high wage rates,” said Mahdzir. — Bernama