KOTA SAMARAHAN: Prior Experience Learning Accreditation (APEL) will enhance human resource skills in line with with the national goal to produce proficient and competitive human capital.
Unimas Vice Chancellor, Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi, said the foremost investment for a nation’s progress rests with its human capital.
This invaluable asset forms the bedrock of innovation and paves the way for a thriving high-income economy, he said.
“After the launch of APEL by MQA in April 2012, many adult students used their work experience to continue studies,” he said at the APEL Open Day at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), here yesterday.
According to him, the current trend indicates a growing number of candidates and adult students opting for APEL as they recognise the prospect of leveraging their experience to advance their studies at higher education institutions.
“Countries need skilled individuals who can adapt quickly to economic changes, generate and utilise knowledge to make progress.
“Human capital and the workforce of high-income countries are characterised by high educational qualifications supporting knowledge and innovation, along with high skill and productivity levels,” he explained.
To achieve top-notch human capital, Kadim stated that the government has made significant improvements at all levels of human capital development.
Among the main strategies implemented is restructuring the job market to make Malaysia a high-income country, he said.
“Among them, the government has expanded the Recognition of Prior Learning programme by recognising APEL.
“Thus, individuals can advance themselves in higher education through the transfer of credits that coincide with learning and experience and qualify individuals to continue their studies to a higher level based on formal and informal education regardless of time and place, in the context of lifelong learning,” he said.
