GITC Launches Council Of Experts To Elevate Country's TVET Landscape

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 (Bernama) -- The Government-Industry TVET Coordination Body (GITC) today launched its Council of Experts (CoExp), marking a significant milestone in strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and fostering greater collaboration between the government, industry, and academia.

GITC, in a statement, said the council, chaired by Datuk J. Palaniappan, who also serves on GITC’s board of directors, is designed to be deeply industry-focused. It brings together representatives from 21 diverse sectors, including leading industry experts, academics, regulatory authorities, and innovators.

In his opening remarks, Palaniappan said CoExp is not merely a networking platform but a forum where experienced professionals unite their expertise to advance TVET and contribute to national development.

“This council is set to embed the very DNA of industry directly into the TVET pipeline,” he said at the event held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) today.

Attended by more than 400 participants, including appointed CoExp members and guests, the event was officiated by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) deputy secretary-general (Policy) Datuk Dr Megat Sany Megat Ahmad Supian. Also present was the Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education deputy director-general (Planning) Dr Shamsuri Abdullah.

The launch event served as a platform to officially announce the appointment of CoExp members, highlight their respective expertise and contributions to the TVET landscape, and articulate the council’s mandate and objectives. Emphasis was placed on its role in providing strategic advice and guidance to GITC on policy formulation, curriculum development, industry alignment, and quality assurance in TVET.

According to the statement, to ensure a balanced representation of stakeholders and reflect the diversity of the TVET ecosystem, CoExp’s composition comprises 80 per cent from the industry and 20 per cent from academia and government agencies.

This diverse group of experts spans 21 industry sectors, with extensive knowledge in areas such as agriculture, forestry and fishing, mining and quarrying, and manufacturing.

Meanwhile, in his officiating remarks, Megat Sany described GITC’s establishment of CoExp as a vital step toward institutionalising real-time industry input into TVET programmes.

He urged all TVET stakeholders to actively participate, share their expertise, and drive change - moving beyond dialogue to action - to build a holistic, world-class, robust, and relevant TVET ecosystem that secures a bright future for young Malaysians and strengthens the nation’s economic competitiveness.

“This is a crucial time for TVET in Malaysia, and I believe that by fostering closer collaboration between government, industry, and educators, we can empower our youth with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the modern workforce and contribute meaningfully to the nation's progress,” he said.

Meanwhile, GITC chairman Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai, in his keynote address, emphasised the critical role of industry-academia collaboration in elevating Malaysia's TVET ecosystem.

He noted that CoExp, supported by the MOHE, is envisioned as an engine of transformation - one that ensures the real-world relevance of the TVET curriculum, improves graduate employability, and aligns TVET initiatives with national priorities across key sectors.

“The establishment of the Council of Experts or CoExp is a momentous occasion for GITC and for the future of TVET in Malaysia. We are honoured to welcome such a distinguished group of individuals who bring invaluable expertise from various industries.

“Their guidance will be instrumental in ensuring that our TVET programmes are not only relevant and high-quality but also directly address the needs of employers and contribute to the nation's economic competitiveness,” he said.

He further urged CoExp members to actively contribute, stressing that their collective wisdom and proactive engagement are vital to raising TVET standards, addressing skills mismatches, and ultimately boosting the career prospects of TVET graduates, underscoring that the success of TVET is synonymous with the success of the nation.

The event also featured a sharing session titled ‘Enhancing Learning Through Work: WBL Journeys and Achievements’ by the chief coordinator for Work-Based Learning (WBL), Politeknik Ungku Omar, Shaipul Anuar Mohamed Zainudin, followed by a group discussion on priority issues to be addressed by CoExp.

-- BERNAMA