POC Project Introduces Smart, Digital Classrooms At Six ADTEC Campuses

KULAI, July 13 (Bernama) -- A pilot Proof-of-Concept (POC) project featuring Smart and Digital Classrooms has been launched at six Advanced Technology Training Centre (ADTEC) campuses under the Department of Manpower (JTM), aimed at enhancing the integration between education and industry within the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem.

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said the six-month initiative, running until December, is the result of a collaboration between the Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) and Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (Huawei Malaysia).

The Smart Classroom POC is being carried out at ADTEC Senai in Kulai, which has been designated as the main reference centre for the initiative.

Meanwhile, the Digital Classroom concept is being introduced at five other ADTEC campuses — Pasir Gudang, Johor Bahru; Pedas, Negeri Sembilan; Selandar, Melaka; Perai, Penang; and Jerantut, Pahang.

“This pilot project does not involve any cost to KESUMA or the government. It stems from a collaboration with Huawei following my visit to China with the Prime Minister last November, which led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the company.

“In this initial phase, the focus is on training instructors. Over the past two days, about 40 trainers under JTM have undergone training to familiarise themselves with the system,” he told a press conference after launching the Smart Classroom TVET initiative at ADTEC Senai here today.

He added that TVET institutions must not only deliver technical training, but also place strong emphasis on developing essential soft skills,  or 'power skills' such as communication, critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork.

“These added-value skills are crucial for enhancing the employability of graduates,” he said.

“I’ve always stressed that TVET should go beyond technical competencies by instilling soft skills. Communication, in particular, is key and we are looking into offering language courses such as English, Arabic, Mandarin, Tamil and others to further boost our students’ marketability,” he added.

-- BERNAMA