RM15 mln needed for digitalisation agenda in polytechnics next year

SHAH ALAM - A total of RM15 million is required to implement the digitalisation agenda of education in all polytechnics under the Higher Education Ministry (KPT) nationwide next year, said its Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

He said the Polytechnic and Community College Education Department (DPCCE) had applied to the ministry seeking the allocation.

"Insya-Allah, we will try to approve the RM15 million application,” he told the media after the closing ceremony of the Education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Digital 2023 Week at Politeknik Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah today.

According to him, the ministry is at the planning stage in efforts to transform studies in polytechnics under the KPT and one of the agendas to be focused on is digitalisation.

"It is still in the discussion stage and, perhaps, in a month or two, we will finalise the transformation efforts,” he said.

Mohamed Khaled said the transformation needed to be carried out because the government is confident that studies in polytechnics, especially in the field of TVET, are vital for the future of the country, in addition to ensuring these institutions remain relevant and able to attract the interests of students.

Meanwhile, asked to comment on the decision by Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) to withdraw its support for the government, resulting in it being unable to retain its two-thirds majority in Parliament, Mohamed Khaled said it won't affect the Unity Government.

He said this was because not all matters required the two-thirds support of Members of Parliament, with some needing just a simple majority.

"We believe that if we want to amend the constitution (which requires a two-thirds majority), it must be based on something that is good for the country and I believe that if politics is not toxic, (and) the matter is good, I think all parties will support, then we can get two-thirds (majority),” he said. - BERNAMA