Celebrating its 34th anniversary this year, SEAMEO VOCTECH continues to uphold its pivotal role as the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) regional centre. It is committed to enhancing the skills of TVET instructors and leaders while developing initiatives that benefit all SEAMEO Member Countries.
As TVET becomes a regional priority, SEAMEO VOCTECH’s significance in fostering skills development for economic growth and employability has only grown, emphasised SEAMEO VOCTECH Regional Centre Director Awang Haji Norjemee Jenek during his opening remarks at the 35th Governing Board Meeting on Tuesday.
The centre recently concluded its 6th Five-Year Development Plan in June, having successfully met its strategic goals.
Since July 2024, it has embarked on its 7th Five-Year Development Plan, aiming to develop programmes anchored to a new theme, aligned with their vision to be a global leader in TVET.
The opening ceremony of the meeting, officiated by Permanent Secretary (Higher Education), Ministry of Education Dr Haji Azman bin Ahmad welcomed distinguished regional education leaders.
Attendees included SEAMEO Secretariat Ex-Officio Pintip Iamnirath; SEAMEO VOCTECH Governing Board Chairman Dr Haji Mohd Zamri bin Haji Sabli; Centre Director Haji Norjemee bin Jenek; and SEAMEO VOCTECH’s Governing Board Members and staff.
“I am pleased to share that we have expanded our capacity-building initiatives to China through our Customised Training programme, recently held in Guangxi Province,” continued Awang Haji Norjemee.
The programme, titled “The International Building Information Modeling Innovation Workshop”, was a collaboration between SEAMEO VOCTECH and the Guangxi Polytechnic of Construction, attracting nearly 50 participants from Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Brunei Darussalam.
Over three decades, the centre’s achievements have earned recognition from key private sector players. Among these is the completion of the Customer Care Service Training programme, which trained 994 personnel from the Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) over two years.
Additionally, the centre recently launched the LEAD Programme for Armada Properties, a six-month leadership initiative, and hosted the 7th CPRN Summit.
The summit provided a platform for the TVET community to exchange knowledge, showcase research, and present policy analyses, reaffirming a collective commitment to fostering an inclusive society that promotes innovation and equal opportunities.
Beyond professional development, SEAMEO VOCTECH has made significant progress in research and consultancy.
A notable achievement includes being selected by the Netherlands Universities Foundation for International Cooperation (NUFFIC) to conduct a study on the employability of vocational graduates in the agri-food sector across ASEAN.
This study focuses on assessing the sector’s needs for a digitally skilled workforce, crucial for integrating new technologies into agriculture and food production.
This meeting is a vital platform for SEAMEO VOCTECH to showcase its achievements and outline strategic initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year. The board reviews and deliberates on proposals, ensuring members are well-prepared to guide the Centre’s strategic direction.
SEAMEO VOCTECH hosted a Sharing Session on Tuesday themed “Inclusive TVET for a Green and Digital Future”, providing a space for SEAMEO member countries and partners to exchange insights, share best practices, and explore collaborations to advance TVET in the region.
The theme highlights the need to integrate sustainability and digital innovation into TVET, preparing the workforce for the demands of rapidly evolving industries.
Held every October, the Governing Board Meeting serves as a cornerstone for regional collaboration and progress in TVET.
It ensures SEAMEO VOCTECH’s contributions align with the region’s broader educational development goals and SEAMEO’s strategic priorities, underscoring the Centre’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive growth through education and skills development.
-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin