TVET KEY TO BREAKING CYCLE OF POVERTY

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- An educational leader has called for a comprehensive effort to revamp the image of technical and vocational education and training (TVET), emphasising its crucial role as a pathway out of poverty.

Limkokwing University group chief brand officer Datuk Tiffanee Marie Lim said education, in general, is the only sustainable solution to breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality.

"TVET is a cornerstone for preparing youth for the job market, but we still face challenges in overcoming outdated perceptions," she said in a statement released in conjunction of The Commonwealth Student Governance Summit (CSGS) 2024 held in Cyberjaya from Nov 15 to 17.

She also highlighted the significant wealth disparity within the 56 countries of the Commonwealth, urging the organisation to take a more proactive role to tackle this growing inequality.

“Within the 56 countries of the Commonwealth, we see an incredible range -- from the richest of the rich to countries still in their infancy, struggling to establish themselves.

“My late father used to say, ‘There is no common wealth in the Commonwealth,’ and that remains true. Wealth disparity within this group of nations is staggering, and the Commonwealth should be much more aggressive in addressing it,” she added.

Meanwhile, YTL Construction director and Women in Rail Malaysia chair Natasha Zulkifli called for greater efforts to support TVET in Malaysia, stressing that the country is not doing enough to capitalise on the potential of vocational education.

She also said that creating a robust TVET curriculum requires not just dedication but also collaboration with the business sector to address industry needs for the next 20 years.

“The government’s 12th Malaysia Plan has a long-term development strategy, but it must incorporate vocational requirements to ensure its effectiveness,” she added.

The CSGS 2024, hosted by Limkokwing University, to mark International Students' Day brought together global youth leaders, educators and policymakers.

The event positioned Malaysia as a hub for discussions on TVET’s role in equipping students with practical, job-ready skills for a changing labour market.

-- BERNAMA