Department of Polytechnic Education

by StudyMalaysia.com on February 1, 2015 | Higher Education Governing Authorities

Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia

Background

Since the setting-up of its first trade school, namely 'Sekolah Ketukangan' in 1926, technical and vocational education in Malaysia has undergone tremendous change with the establishment of many vocational and technical schools, polytechnics and community colleges.

In 1964, the Technical and Vocational Educational Division (TAVED) of the Ministry of Education, Malaysia was established to promote technical and vocational education in the country. Later in October 1995, it was accorded departmental status and was known as the Technical Education Department (TED). Apart from conceptualising policies, the newly-upgraded department also set the direction for technical and vocational education to ensure compliance with the industrialisation and modernisation programmes of the country. The first polytechnic was established in 1969 and in 2001, the first community college was set up.

In March 2004, the government's quest for a quality delivery system of tertiary education in Malaysia led to the formation of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) which plays an important role in determining the policies and direction of the higher education sector in order to build an excellent and outstanding nation which is rich in knowledge, culture and civilisation. This new development saw the birth of the Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education (DPCCE). DPCCE is one of the four departments - sectors under the jurisdiction of MOHE. The other three departments - sectors are the Department of Higher Education, the Management Sector and the Development Sector.

On 16 September 2009, DPCCE was restructured to become two new departments, i.e. Department of Polytechnic Education and Department of Community College Education, in order to re-brand and transform both types of institutions. Its new objective is to produce innovative and highly marketable individuals.

Department of Polytechnic Education

The management of polytechnics has been placed under the Department of Polytechnic Education, MOHE since 16 September 2009. The department's role is to ensure that the workforce needs of the country at semi-professional and middle executive levels are met according to the industry's needs.

Presently, there are 30 polytechnics with an enrolment of 89,292 students in June 2011 session. These polytechnics have produced 366,434 graduates to date at certificate and diploma levels in the fields of engineering technology, commerce and services.

During the Ninth Malaysian Plan, seven polytechnics which can accommodate 16,800 more students were under construction. Nevertheless, these new polytechnics are still unable to meet the present demand. Every year, there are 142,000 applications when the number of places available is merely 42,000.

Polytechnic Education Structure

Director General

• Deputy Director General (Operation)
  • Director of the Academic Development Division
  • Director of the Examination and Assessment Division
  • Director of the Student Enrolment Division
  • Director of the Student Welfare Division
• Deputy Director General (Strategic)
  • Director of the Policy Development Division
  • Director of the Industrial Relations, Detection of Graduates and Alumni Division
  • Director of the Research and Development Centre
  • Director of the Curriculum Development and Evaluation Division
  • Director of the Training and Career Development Division
  • Director of the Management Services Division

The Polytechnic Transformation Plan (2010-2015) provides the roadmap to develop and strengthen the polytechnic system. It aims to give recognition to the polytechnic education sector and make polytechnics the preferred institution in the field of technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Emphasis will be given to manpower development and inculcation of excellent work ethics to produce a more knowledgeable, highly skilled and marketable workforce with entrepreneurial capabilities. The plan also aims to change the public's perception of polytechnics by making the polytechnics high quality institutions of international standards and the preferred choice of students as well as provide a viable alternative pathway to traditional university education.

As a part of the transformation plan, polytechnics have intensified enhanced moast of the offered programmes in enngineering and commerce but also in fields such as technology and the services industry. Also in the plan are twinning programmes which will be conducted in collaboration with local and foreign institution/institution from abroad.

As part of its initiative to improve the quality and image of polytechnics, certificate-level courses would no longer be offered from the July 2010 intake. Polytechnics will now focus on diploma and advanced diploma programmes. Under the plan, there will be a 30% increase in the number of places offered for diploma programmes from 60,840 in 2009 to 87,440 in 2012. The Polytechnic Transformation Plan has set to make polytechnics as the preferred choice for students in the field of TVET and would increase its student enrolment to 119,000 by 2015.

To achieve the objective of transforming polytechnics and making them 'preferred institutions' the government has upgraded three institutions to premier polytechnic status.

The three polytechnics selected as premier polytechnics are Politeknik Ungku Omar in Ipoh (Perak), Politeknik Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah in Shah Alam (Selangor) and Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan (Johor). These three institutions will be granted high levels of autonomy and their focus would be in niche areas of the industry. These premier polytechnics are benchmarked against renowned technical institutions such as the Faschoschule in Germany and its in Austria, Sweden, Finland, Norway and France.

Contact Details

Department of Polytechnic Education
Ministry of Education Malaysia
Tingkat 9-12, Heritage office Tower Jalan SB Dagang
43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: 603-8939 4058
Fax: 603-8939 4055
Website: http://www.politeknik.edu.my

Source: Education Guide Malaysia 13th Ed.

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