Tue, 15 November, 2022
My name is Ir. Dr. Eliza Binti M. Yusup. I have been working as a senior lecturer at Universiti Tun Hussien Onn Malaysia (UTHM) since 2008.
I am the programme manager of ‘Program Pentauliahan Kimpalan 3G’, attended by ten lecturers from various community colleges and polytechnics in Malaysia across all the states. The ‘Program Pentauliahan Kimpalan 3G’ is fully sponsored by the Ministry of Higher Education which covers the study costs, CSWIP competency examination, accommodation, transportation, and meals during training.
To join this programme, the Ministry of Higher Education under the Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education has interviewed many polytechnic lecturers. The selection is based on having a background in welding and some other characteristics.
‘Program Pentauliahan Kimpalan 3G’ is a three-month programme, which was officially kicked off on 30th October 2022 at UTHM’s main campus. The programme consists of several CSWIP Certificate of Competency courses such as CSWIP NDT Liquid Penetrant Testing, CSWIP 3.0 Visual Welding Inspector, CSWIP Approved Welder training up to 3G position (SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW), and continued with industry attachments for a month.
For me, this program is very good, where the lecturers involved will receive not one but three certificates of competency that they can use outside the polytechnic to teach or to provide consulting services to industries in need of their services. This will give them added value in their careers, experience, and resume.
In the future, it is hoped that programmes similar to this one can be continued and expanded not only to polytechnic staff but also to lecturers in private universities and colleges. The industry now does not only look at academic qualifications but also look at competency certifications. If the university lecturer also has a certificate of competence, they can indirectly share the benefits with their scholars and attract more interest from the scholars towards having a competency certificate such as welding, welding inspection, or NDT.
Most university scholars have limited hands-on experience so they lack exposure to the importance of competency. Therefore, if we can expand their knowledge about having a competency certificate it will increase their potential in all aspects because they will be able to apply what they learn directly when they graduate from university. The government is also now emphasizing TVET as part of its efforts in ensuring that Malaysian youth possess skills beyond theoretical knowledge.
Lastly, I hope that all of the lecturers will be able to take advantage of what they will learn at TWI. This is because only those selected will be able to participate in this program. They have been selected for this programme and are fortunate to be getting more than one certificate in a three-month period.