Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) has shared its refined best practices in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) blended learning with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), the world’s only intergovernmental organisation focused solely on promoting and developing open and distance learning (ODL).
COL is supporting the development of institution-level situational analysis of current costing practices and approaches for blended TVET for inclusion in COL’s guidelines for costing of blended TVET. Development of the Guidelines is part of COL’s efforts to support the implementation of effective and sustainable TVET programmes through mentoring of managers at COL’s Skills for Work initiative partner institutions on costing for blended TVET practice.
A workshop on “Costing of Blended TVET Practice: Case Studies and Guidelines” is hosted by COL in collaboration with Universiti Kuala Lumpur under the Centre for Advancement and Continuing Education (ACE), held in Kuala Lumpur on May 27 – 31, 2024. Representatives from Malaysia are the experts in costing of blended TVET from Universiti of Kuala Lumpur (UniKL); Dr. Badli Shah Mohd Yusoff, Deputy Dean Academic & Technology, UniKL MFI; Madam Nur Adibah Ahmad Yahya, Head of Finance, ACE Chancellery; Dr. Suriana Ismail, Director of Center for Instructional Technology and Curriculum Development and Mr. Mohd Firdaus Mokhtar Abdul Karim, Senior Executive of Finance, ACE Chancellery while APU is represented by Mr Jonathan, who will share the best practices in blended TVET.
The COL delegation was led by Dr. Robert Okinda; COL Advisor from Canada, with key representatives including CEO of the Vocational Training Development Institute (VTDI) in Jamaica, Dr. Delize Williams; Deputy Director of the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) in Sri Lanka, Dr. Dilrukshi Herath; CEO of the Tertiary and Vocational Education and Training Authority in Zambia, Harrison Phiri and Dr Robert Palmer; COL Consultant. The workhsop also attended by Prof Abtar Darshan Singh, Professor and Director, Digital Learning Hub, who also the UNESCO Chair, from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation, Kuala Lumpur as well as Associate Professor Dr Azidah Abu Ziden, Director of Academic Excellence, Ministry of Higher Education.
Other workshop participants who are joining the workshop virtually including CEO of Yaba College of Technology (YCT), Nigeria, Dr Ibrahim Abdul Dotun; CEO of Kenya School of TVET (KSTVET), Kenya, Dr Edwin Tarno; and Dr Jyotsna Jha, Director Skills, COL.
As part of this initiative, UniKL hosted a benchmarking visit on 28th May at UniKL British Malaysian Institute (UniKL BMI), which was led by Dean Ts. Dr. Zulkifli Mahmoodin, with the presence of Mr. Thian Yee Wei, Covering Chief Marketing and Planning Officer of UniKL and the Director of ACE, ChM. Ts. Dr. Yuhanees Mohamed Yusof.
“This meeting generated valuable discussions that provided us with useful insights, and we look forward to a fruitful partnership,” said Dr. Robert Okinda after the visit.
UniKL’s commitment to lifelong learning and industry engagement is exemplified by its ACE UniKL , which offers a diverse range of TVET programmes. These include short courses, professional certifications, and customised training solutions for organisations.
Looking ahead, UniKL plans to expand its offerings to include online and distance learning programmes.
This initiative aims to make TVET more accessible and flexible, particularly for working adults who need to balance their education with professional and personal responsibilities.
