Dec 24, 2017
TECHNOLOGISTS and technicians can no longer be considered as “second class engineers”.
In fact, thanks to the establishment of the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT), jobs under these categories will now receive the recognition and accreditation they deserve.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said the board formed by the Government, plays an important role in upholding the integrity of the professions.
“MBOT also gives a space to technologists and those in the technical and vocational fields to receive proper training because they are required to face the fourth industrial revolution,” he said during the recent closing of its Technology and Technical Accreditation Summit 2017.
Recognising these professions is not something new as this is already practised in countries like France and Korea, said Idris.
“TVET (Technology and Vocational Education and Training) is growing just as fast as conventional academics in this country,” he added.
Idris also said that MBOT has partnered with Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) to give accreditation to courses for technologists and technicians.
The Technology and Technical Accreditation Council and the Technology and Technical Accreditation Secretariat is the result of this partnership, he said.
To date, the agency has received more than 30 accreditation applications from public institutions of higher education for their courses.
During the summit, 17 higher education institutions, which were given self-accreditation status by MQA, and four programmes from Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) were accredited by MBOT and MQA.
Also present at the event was MBOT President Tan Sri Ahmad Zaidee Laidin and Higher Education director-general Datin Paduka Dr Hamisah Tapsir.
Meanwhile, Bernama quoted Idris as saying that students who are currently pursuing their PhD under the ministry’s sponsorship will be allowed to extend the duration of their studies.
Idris said the move was in line with the goal of enhancing the people- friendly government delivery system and its “People First, Performance Now” policy.
However, he said such extensions were based on merit, circumstances and also endorsement and support from the university.