Mahdzir: Agricultural TVET produces agripreneurs, ensures food productivity

NILAI, March 7  -- The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme offered at universities, especially in the field of agriculture, will be able to produce agripreneurs, thus helping to increase productivity and ensure the country’s food security.

Rural Development Minister, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, said this was because, with the unpredictable climate change situation and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there was a great need for food resources, both nationally and internationally.

“TVET is actually on par with other academic pathways, it is the most desired need of colleges or universities and matches the industries... by looking at the current needs, TVET related to agriculture is very important.

“Through agriculture, young people can boost the community industry and produce more agricultural entrepreneurial products as well as open many job opportunities in line with the government's intention to strengthen TVET,” he told reporters after officiating University College Agrosains Malaysia (UCAM) 19th Convocation Ceremony.

He also said that UCAM, which is under his ministry, has also elevated agriculture and plantation as the main focus, apart from receiving accreditation from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) in 19 study programmes offered by the institution.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, was reported to have said that the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has been requested to formulate a new policy related to TVET and rebrand it, to remove the perception of parents who consider it as second class education or irrelevant.

Meanwhile, Mahdzir said that his ministry would continue to strengthen various programmes to ensure that the Orang Asli community nationwide would not be left behind from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine injection.

Acknowledging that the vaccination rate among the community was relatively low, he said that the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), as the agency responsible for the well-being of the group, had a regular programme to enable them to receive vaccines.

As of yesterday, a total of 139,938 out of a total of 269,347 Orang Asli nationwide had received COVID-19 vaccine injections while 12,729 individuals had received booster doses.

Earlier, he presented Bachelor's Degree, Diploma and certificates to 543 graduates at the convocation ceremony, involving Melaka, Perak, Kelantan and Pahang branches, which is being held for two days starting today, with a total of 845 graduates.

--BERNAMA