GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with six institutions of higher learning in Penang to produce young people who are better skilled and equipped with leadership qualities.
The three-year MoU was signed with Peninsula College, Disted College, Advance Tertiary College, Inti College, IPK College, and MSU College Penang, in addition to the agreement signed with five other institutions of higher learning, namely, Penang Skills Development Centre, UOW Malaysia KDU University College, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, Han Chiang University College of Communication and Segi College Penang in March this year.
The MoU sets out the framework for the establishment of an academic link and cooperation between parties to facilitate detailed discussions as each party endeavours to promote, develop and establish research, education, training, and development programmes in various fields.
“With the collaboration between PYDC and all these higher learning institutions in Penang, we aim to regenerate and assist our young generation in Penang to leverage on it to the next level,” Penang youth and sports exco Soon Lip Chee said during his speech at the exco office in Komtar today.
“In the past, it used to be that secondary school education would be enough to get a job because you just need to do some repetitive work in a factory or in an office.
“However, as the world progresses, we see the significance of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise our endeavours.
“The pandemic is accelerating Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) automation technologies that affect the manufacturing sectors, white-collar jobs in both front- and back-office contexts.”
He also stressed that completing tertiary education is not the end of education, but the youth need to be taught that they still need to be innovative, creative and great team members to advance in their careers. There is no end to education as the journey to learn and accumulate knowledge is borderless.
With this MoU signing, his office and PYDC will be collaborating closely with these institutions to increase real industrial exposure through teacher-talent programmes, volunteerism and coaching programmes.
PYDC general manager Gwee Sai Ling said that for any country to succeed, it needs educated, well-informed and responsible leaders. She believes that there must be an overhaul among the youth to correct the mistakes and shortcomings of the previous leaders. Only then can the outlook of society change.
“The challenge now is the lack of exposure among the youth and PYDC. Hence, this MoU wants to link the industry with education institutions so that after these students graduate, they can assimilate into the working world easily,” said Gwee, adding that programmes for 2022 are now being crafted.
Peninsula College group president Prof Ian Pashby, who is a signee of the MoU, said although all the other higher learning institutions are competitors, coming together towards this end shows that they have a passion for the education and development of the people.
“The world changes so fast and we have to constantly reskill people to stay one step ahead. Penang is a fantastic platform to start with.
“We will be investing in things like IR4.0, and we do not want to just be competing nationally or regionally, but on the global scale.” – The Vibes, November 12, 2021
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