BANGI, June 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and China have strengthened their Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) cooperation through the Malaysia-China Industry-Education Alliance (MCIEA), which will channel nearly RM30 million in scholarships, training programmes and supporting initiatives.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also chairman of the National TVET Council Committee, said a total of 1,000 scholarship placements worth about RM18 million would be offered to Malaysian TVET graduates to pursue diploma-level studies in leading institutions in China.
He said 2,000 training opportunities worth more than RM10 million would also be provided through mobility programmes, upskilling, reskilling and train-the-trainer initiatives across high-value sectors.
"In addition, Chinese institutions and industries will contribute TVET training equipment worth nearly RM2 million to strengthen technology transfer, training capabilities, and industrial readiness in Malaysia,” he said in his officiating speech at the Malaysia-China TVET Engagement Dinner 2026 here tonight.
Ahmad Zahid said the initiatives would provide Malaysian TVET graduates with international exposure, access to advanced technologies and stronger pathways into high-growth industries.
Ahmad Zahid noted that the collaboration would also raise the value of local talent while strengthening institutions and supporting industries with a more future-ready workforce.
On MCIEA, which was launched tonight, he said it would act as a bridge connecting Malaysian talent and industries with technologies shaping the future, with collaboration across artificial intelligence, robotics, smart manufacturing, electric vehicles, semiconductors, logistics and digital technologies.
The alliance was also poised to strengthen industry-driven training, expand work-based learning, promote professional certification and accelerate technology transfer between Malaysia and China.
“This is our shared ambition, to position Malaysia as a regional hub for TVET innovation and industry-education collaboration, supported by a stronger pipeline of future-ready talent,” he said, adding that in navigating the rapidly evolving global economy, Malaysia must work closely with strategic partners such as China to develop talent, technology and innovation.
According to Ahmad Zahid, Malaysia’s longstanding relationship with China, built on trade, investment, education, technology and people-to-people exchanges, remained highly relevant and should be strengthened further, particularly in developing the skilled workforce needed for future industries.
He added that cooperation between nations should no longer be measured solely by trade value or the number of projects announced, but also by their ability to develop talent, nurture skills and prepare people to adapt to change.
“China’s experience has shown that when education, industry and technology move together, a nation can achieve extraordinary progress,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
