163 vocational programmes receive full accreditation as of October

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 163 Malaysian Vocational Diploma (DVM) programmes in various fields have been fully accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) as of October this year.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said the programmes had been listed in the Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR) and received full accreditation from rating bodies like MQA and the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT).

"The programmes that have been listed in the Malaysian Qualifications Register are recognised by the Public Service Department and appointing authorities such as the Public Services Commission and the Education Service Commission.

"Therefore, any graduate from the listed programmes is eligible to apply to serve in the public sector or further their studies at a higher level at home or abroad," she said in her speech during the Special Chamber session of the Dewan Rakyat here today.

Noraini said this in response to Natrah Ismail's (PH-Sekijang) motion on the “Issue of Full Accreditation by MQA to the Programmes Offered at Vocational Colleges”.

Meanwhile, on Full Accreditation application for 257 DVM programmes in Vocational Colleges, Noraini said MQA had yet to receive the application from the Vocational Technical Education and Training Division (BPLTV).

"Based on the MQA charter, this evaluation process will take nine weeks for each programme. The period is required to enable all criteria to be carefully assessed and have been fully complied with by the applicant.

"Any complete application will be processed immediately in accordance with the charter set," she said.

She explained that the accreditation evaluation process of academic programmes offered by institutions of higher learning (IPT) is carried out to ensure high level of standards and quality of the programmes.

-- BERNAMA