PUO LAUNCHES APPLE EDUCATION CLASSROOM, STRENGTHENS DIGITAL TVET

IPOH, March 4 (Bernama) -- Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO) continues to strengthen its education system with the introduction of the Apple Education Classroom smart learning initiative, which provides students with exposure to a more interactive digital learning experience, aligned with current technological developments.

Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim said the implementation of the classroom opens up new opportunities for students to enjoy a more up-to-date, technology-driven smart learning experience.

“We are starting small, but I hope it will grow bigger. We also hope that external parties will take notice and establish closer collaboration with PUO, especially in technology development and the application of technology in learning.

“Certainly, we intend and hope for it to be expanded. PUO is among the first, and we hope it can be implemented smoothly and extended to other institutions as well,” he said, when met after officiating the Apple Education Classroom, here, today.

Also present were Department of Polytechnic Education and Community Colleges director-general Dr Shamsuri Abdullah and PUO director Dr Salmi Che Meh.

He said the initial implementation of the project involved an estimated cost of RM200,000, which included the use of 30 iPad units and four iMac units as the main facilities in the smart classroom.

The Apple Education Classroom is the first project of its kind in the Central and Northern zones, officially placed under the PUO’s Department of Information and Communication Technology (JTMK).

The classroom can accommodate up to 30 students per teaching and learning (PdP) session at any one time, making it a conducive, flexible and collaborative digital learning space.

Meanwhile, in his speech, Adam Adli said that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is among the key pillars of the national development agenda, particularly in efforts to strengthen economic competitiveness and meet the needs of high-impact industries.

“In line with this, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) continues to place serious emphasis on empowering TVET through industry-responsive curriculum alignment, strengthening strategic collaboration with industry players, enhancing lecturers’ capabilities, and expanding the use of digital technology in teaching and learning.

“These initiatives are aimed at ensuring that the graduates produced not only possess high technical skills, but are also critical thinkers, innovative, and capable of adapting to the rapidly evolving technological landscape,” he said.

-- BERNAMA