Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) reinforced its role in advancing technical and vocational education and training (TVET), artificial intelligence (AI) and industry-driven digital skills at the Malaysia–Central Asia Higher Education Forum 2026 (MAHEF 2026) in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 28 September 2026.
Organised by Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), the forum brought together higher education leaders and institutional representatives to explore stronger academic cooperation between Malaysia and Central Asia.
Among those attending were the Director General of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, Prof. Datuk Dr. Azlinda Azman, and Ambassador of Malaysia to Kazakhstan, H.E. Mohd Adli Abdullah.
Representing UniKL in the plenary session on “TVET and Digital Skills Cooperation”, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) Prof. Ir. Dr. Azmi Hassan highlighted two practical areas with strong potential for Malaysia–Kazakhstan higher education collaboration: applying AI to industry needs and developing micro-credentials as an accessible starting point for academic partnerships.
Prof. Ir. Dr Azmi highlighted the growing applications of AI enabled by advances in software, algorithms and computing, alongside increasing industry demand for capabilities in AI literacy, data analytics and applied machine learning.
The development creates opportunities for universities and industries to work together in preparing talent with digital competencies that respond directly to changing workforce requirements.
He also invited industry partners in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia to explore cooperation with UniKL, including sharing expertise and experience in applying AI tools within industrial environments.
Such collaboration could connect university knowledge with practical industry applications while supporting workforce development and technology-driven innovation.
Beyond AI, Prof. Ir. Dr. Azmi proposed short and modular micro-credential programmes that could be jointly developed and delivered by UniKL and its Central Asian counterparts.
The approach would allow participating universities to combine expertise and respond quickly to emerging skills requirements without immediately restructuring existing academic programmes.
Micro-credentials and short-course certificates could also provide an initial pathway towards mutual recognition of qualifications and learning outcomes.
The plenary session was moderated by Deputy Director General of Higher Education Malaysia Prof. Dr. Zainal Amin bin Ayub.
Other panellists represented Malaysia and Kazakhstan’s higher education, accreditation and international cooperation sectors, including Dr. Shamsuri Abdullah, Ms. Gulfiya Nazyrova, Ms. Zamzagul Sultanova and Cardiff University Kazakhstan Provost Dr. Ronald Voogdt.
Through initiatives such as MAHEF 2026, UniKL continues to expand its global academic and industry networks while creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, collaborative education and future research partnerships.
The initiative contributes particularly to SDG 4: Quality Education through skills development, micro-credentials and international academic cooperation; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth through industry-relevant workforce development; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through AI, digital capabilities and technology application; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through cross-border university and industry collaboration.
