KKTM Sri Gading officials with the APACC President (center) and APACC evaluation team
Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA (KKTM) Sri Gading became the first institution under Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Malaysia to be evaluated by the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) online. The evaluation happened on September 6 – 9, 2021 and was performed by the APACC team including the Lead Accreditor and Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) Project-Based Faculty Consultant Dr. Romulita Alto, Member Accreditor Dr. H. Chithral Ambawatte who is also a Senior Lecturer of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, and Documentation Officer and APACC Officer Ms. Adrienne Abril.
KKTM Sri Gading is a public technical college located in Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia and is being headed by the Director Mr. Shabudin bin Said. The institution started its operations on May 15, 2008 in order to provide high impact technical programs in engineering construction technology. Its vision is to be an outstanding and trustworthy organization in upholding the nation’s pride while the mission is to shape a holistic TVET human capital with entrepreneurial values. The institution is committed to lead technical and vocational education in producing global human capital with integrity, competency, and innovation to become technopreneurs by abiding and consistently improving quality management system.
KKTM Sri Gading team during the evaluation
The evaluation’s opening program was graced by the presence of MARA and KKTM Sri Gading Officials including Mr. Mahzan Teh, MARA Director of Technical and Vocational Division, Dr. Suzila Akhmar binti Ahmad, MARA Deputy Director of Technical and Vocational Division, and Mr. Jaafar Sidek bin Mohd Ani, MARA Assistant Director of Technical and Vocational Division. In his speech, Mr. Teh informed the background, mandate, and transformation plan of MARA as well as the achievements of students and MARA’s achievement of already having three institutions awarded gold by APACC. He expressed MARA’s desire to collaborate with APACC for international recognition of MARA institutions and staff and student exchanges.
Opening Program with MARA Officials (center) and KKTM Sri Gading team
The Director of KKTM Sri Gading Mr. Shabudin bin Said then introduced KKTM Sri Gading – its history, programs and Core Business titled 4 SURE (Sure to be employed, Sure to further study, Sure entrepreneurship, and Sure obtaining double income).
The APACC member accreditor Dr. H. Chithral Ambawatte assured KKTM Sri Gading of the APACC team’s full support and expressed his hope for the successful completion of the online evaluation.
Dr. Romulita Alto, the APACC lead accreditor, likewise wished for a successful event for the improvement of KKTM Sri Gading and requested the institution to be patient, tolerant, and transparent throughout the whole evaluation exercise. She then presented the schedule of activities for the information of everyone.
Virtual tour of facilities and interviews with relevant stakeholders commenced after the opening program.
During the exit meeting, the APACC President Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe provided words of wisdom. He congratulated the members of KKTM Sri Gading and the APACC evaluation team for the excellent performance during the evaluation. He encouraged MARA and KKTM Sri Gading to participate in mutually beneficial programs in the future and to maintain the cordial relationship with partners most critical of which are the industries.
The APACC lead accreditor Dr. Alto highlighted the qualitative aspects of the team’s report including the commendations, affirmations, and recommendations and informed the institution that the final report will be sent to them after the review and endorsement of the APACC board.
