KUCHING: Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak is continually supporting the state government’s development agenda by offering academic programmes that meet the need for a skilled and talented workforce in the state.
In line with this, its Academic and International Affairs Deputy Rector Associate Professor Dr Mohammad Isa Mohamadin said with the emphasis of the state government on technical human resources as highlighted in the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, the university is adjusting its programmes.
“We are working to align our programmes, even the technical programme with the accreditation standards set by the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT).
“This initiative aims to ensure these programmes meet technological needs. Apart from that, we have achieved accreditation for computer science (programme), and currently, several other programmes are in the pipeline for enhancement or the application of suitable accreditation,” he said.
He said this to reporters in a special interview held at Riverside Majestic Hotel here recently.
Dr Mohammad Isa added the university will also be introducing a new programme which is the Bachelor of Civil Engineering Technology in Asset Management starting March next year.
“This is a high-end Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme where the programme structure includes work-based learning, allowing students to undergo industry training for a year.
“The programme aims to provide our students with exposure to industry for a year, forming part of our initiative to enhance the experiential learning aspect,” he said.
Dr Mohammad Isa said as for its other academic programmes, the university aims to diversify its teaching approaches to move away from traditional methods.
“For instance, our international mobility programme is enhanced to ensure our students not only undertake attachments within Sarawak or Malaysia but also abroad,” he said.
He said this year alone, the university has managed to send more than 200 students for mobility programmes abroad, whether to foreign universities or industries.
“This stands as one of our initiatives to ensure students at UiTM Sarawak experience the best learning exposure,” he said.
He said the university also strongly encourages collaborative teaching by not just inviting internal lecturers but experts from industry to deliver lectures to students, providing them with exposure to the current industry landscape.
“This is an approach at UiTM, promoting collaborative teaching involving the industry, alumni and others,” he said.
In enhancing the best learning experiences, he said the university also encourages its students to undertake industrial training during the semester breaks.
“Here in Sarawak, we get strong support from the state government in various student-related activities, such as mobility programmes and other student developmental initiatives. “This is in line with our efforts to elevate the quality of teaching and learning experiences comprehensively,” he said.
