APACC RECOGNITION BOLSTERS PPD’S POSITION AS HIGH-PERFORMING TVET INSTITUTION

PORT DICKSON, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- The Port Dickson Polytechnic (PPD) has strengthened its position as a high-performing technical and vocational education (TVET) institution with the recognition from the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC).

PPD director Hasan Mohd Sharif said the recognition reflected the institution’s success in building strategic collaborations with various multinational industries while also preparing graduates to be both competent and competitive.

He said the success was driven by the establishment of the Centre for Electrical, Energy, Technology, and Services (CENTS), reflecting PPD’s commitment to aligning its strategic programmes with the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), as well as Malaysia’s 12th and 13th Plans.

“In line with the aspirations of the MADANI Economy, PPD supports inclusive, sustainable, and competitive economic development with programmes that meet industry demands and current technological advancements.

“With the graduate employability rate reaching 96 per cent in 2023 and a target of 97 per cent by the end of the year, PPD is on a solid path to  further enhancing job opportunities for its graduates,” he told Bernama here today.

Hasan said among PPD’s industry partners that have contributed to the success were HINO (Malaysia), KNX Skills Development Centre, Global Academia, Fixbay Academy, Solarvest Holdings, SIGTECH Engineering and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC).

He explained that CENTS served as a benchmark for TVET institutions in upskilling and lifelong learning, not only in Malaysia but across the Asia Pacific.

CENTS offers eight key skill clusters focusing on critical industry skills to help graduates become more competitive in the job market.

Hasan said the Reskilling and Upskilling Centre (RUC), modelled after CENTS, helped PPD provide learning opportunities for adult workers through a collaborative approach with the industry.

“During the RUC launch, 13 students from PPD’s Electrical Engineering Department were awarded the Basic KNX and KNX Partner Certificates from KNX Association Belgium, a globally recognised certification in building automation technology.

“This achievement reinforces PPD’s APACC Platinum status, reflecting the institution’s commitment to meeting international TVET education standards,” he said.

In the meantime, Hasan said that PPD’s long-term plan was to become a premier institution with an industry and community-based approach, as well as a research-driven institution.

He said this effort strengthened PPD’s role in driving the TVET MADANI agenda to produce competent graduates who were ready to contribute to the technology-based industrial sector and the sustainable economy of the future.

Recently, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed great pride in the platinum recognition given to PPD, pointing out that APACC is a highly respected accreditation body in the Asia Pacific, particularly in TVET.

-- BERNAMA