Cruising Into A New Course

At Putrajaya International Convention Centre, 2009

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CRUISING INTO A NEW COURSE

A Determined Transformer

Commenting on the recent Polytechnic Transformation Plan launced in February 2010, Imran explains that premier polytechnics are introduced to spearhead the transformation process. They act as a catalyst in terms of leading the rest of the polytechnics to the next level.

He elaborates, “Metro polytechnics are located right in the middle of the city and programmes will focus on service-type industries. In the cities, the engine of growth is mostly service oriented, such as finance, banking and insurance. In the city environment, these are the types of jobs very much in abundance.” “With regard to university polytechnics, there is no intention to change the structure of the polytechnic system per se. The only difference is, when an institution starts to offer degree programmes it is only right that we raise the status to that of a university,” he adds.

with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Higher Education at the launching of Polytechnic Transformation Plan The Polytechnic Transformation plan is drawn up to enable the polytechnics to face the new challenges and meet new demand in technical education. In line with National Higher Education Strategic Plan. The plan a well-balanced employable human capital with firstclass mentality.

ARetirement Tribute to

Dato’ Haji

Imran bin Idris 24

“In other words, we have not changed in terms of our structure, in terms of our focus, our curriculum, our emphasis… we are just moving up one level, we are evolving,”

Minister of Higher Education officiating the National Seminar on Instructional Design in Education

Imran further elaborates that the proposed Universiti Politeknik or ‘UniPol’ will not solely be offering programmes at degree level because he believes the role of polytechnics is to provide human capital at the mid-level, that is the para-professional level. However, he stressed that there is still a need to raise the bar to a higher level than where polytechnics are currently.

He likens the progression to an evolution in which the same DNA is carried from the certificate level to the diploma level and advanced diploma level, right up to the degree level. “In other words, we have not changed in terms of our structure, in terms of our focus, our curriculum, our emphasis…we are just moving up one level, we are evolving,” he explains. He adds, “We started with a certificate programme, it was only after almost 20 years that we began to offer the diploma programme, and another 20 years, the advanced diploma. I think now is the time for us to go to the next level is much shorter. Instead of another 20 years, we hope to see an evolution, a progression of our polytechnics in another five years.”

At the Teaching and Learning Video Festival of JPPKK, a collaboration with SONY Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.