PUTRAJAYA, Feb 25 (NNN-Bernama): Setting up Polytechnic Universities can elevate vocational and technical education at higher education level, said Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
“Polytechnic universities will enable students to pursue technical and vocational education at medium and higher level under one system without the need to continue such studies at other institutions,” he told reporters after launching the Transformation of Polytechnics here Thursday.
By proving education packages at diploma and degree levels, polytechnics would be able to attract top students in the country to pursue education that requires a high level of expertise, he said.
In line with such aspirations, the status of three polytechnics were elevated to Premier Polytechnics and earmarked for the setting up of Polytechnic Universities by 2015.
The three polytechnics are Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Polytechnic, Ungku Omar Polytechnic and Johor Bahru Polytechnic.
“The potential of the polytechnics can be enhanced further to contribute towards the development of the country,” he said.
Muhyiddin who is also the Deputy Prime Minister said new fields of study like bio-technology and nano-technology must also be enhanced to provide niche areas of study.
“New excellent centres for polytechnics must also be set up to strike up intensive collaboration with industries for innovative research and study in niche areas,” he said.
Polytechnics must also offer courses related to the service industry like digital animation, design, insurance and finance.
Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said 90,000 applications were received yearly for polytechnic diploma courses but only 25,000 places were available.
Khaled said by adding more polytechnic institutions in the country, about 60,000 would be able to pursue their studies in such fields.
-NNN-BERNAMA
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