Mohamed Khaled (seated, centre) poses with MQAIC 2023 participants in Kota Kinabalu.

KOTA KINABALU – The 'one size fits all' approach in higher education is no longer relevant in meeting the needs of students now and in the future. Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said, the new paradigm focuses on adaptability, inclusiveness and alignment with current technology in the digital world.   According to him, the new approach promotes disciplined learning, fosters creativity and problem solving as well as lifelong learning (PSH) to adapt to the evolving job market. "Three paradigm shifts are needed to prepare the higher education sector for a relevant, competitive and meaningful future which is flexible learning paths, digitization of higher education and value-based higher education," he said. He said this while speaking at the opening of the Malaysian Qualification Agency International Conference 2023 (MQAIC 2023), here today.   The two-day conference organised by MQA in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) was attended by 300 participants consisting of quality assurance experts, policy makers, academics, quality assurance officers of higher education institutions (IPTs) and industry players from various countries. The Minister of Science was also present. , Sabah Technology and Innovation, Datuk Dr. Mohd. Arifin Mohd. Arif.   At the same conference, MQA also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating (IAAR) of Kazakhstan and the Higher Education Evaluation & Accreditation Council of Taiwan (HEEACT) for cooperation in the field of quality assurance. Mohamed Khaled said that PSH was among the agenda. major in Malaysia with various policies and initiatives, including open and distance learning (ODL) platforms, Accreditation of Prior Experience Learning (APEL) and micro-credentials course offerings.   He said, the PSH initiative aims to expand access to higher education through flexible methods and delivery while maintaining quality and standards. "For the digitization of higher education, we must accept the importance of digitization that has a profound impact on various aspects of daily life. "Digital innovation requires an approach holistic digital learning and it promotes global collaboration among students, institutions, research partnerships between universities and industry and mutual recognition between jurisdictions," he said.   Mohamed Khaled added, the focus of higher education also needs to change from a focus on intellectual competence alone to a more value-driven approach. He said, the future education paradigm should prioritize core values that form ethical and morally resilient individuals, contributing to society and development. sustainable. "Malaysia is committed to fostering an educational ecosystem that is academically sound and socially and environmentally responsible. "The effective transformation of higher education in the 21st century depends a lot on the collective commitment of HEIs, the government, academics, industry players and all stakeholders," he said.

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Date of Input: 08/11/2023 | Updated: 11/11/2023 | aidawati