Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA (KKTM) Kemaman, an institute that specializes in providing education on the oil and gas industry under the umbrella of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) Malaysia, was evaluated by the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) on October 11-14, 2021.
The APACC Team was composed of Lead Accreditor Engr. Marjorie Mendenilla, a consultant for Academic Affairs of the MFI Polytechnic, Inc. from the Philippines; Member Accreditor, Dr. N. Asokan, the vice principal for Academics at the SRM Institute of Science & Technology in India; and the Documentation Officer, Ms. Chyna Lorania, ODG Assistant from the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC). The 4-day online evaluation aimed to assess the institution’s compliance with the seven APACC criteria: (1) Governance and Management, (2) Teaching and Learning, (3) Human Resources, (4) Research and Development, (5) Image and Sustainability, (6) Other Resources, and (7) Support to Students.
The opening program of the online evaluation was graced by MARA TVET Division officials led by its Director Mahzan Bin Teh, along with Deputy Director Technical and Vocational Division Dr. Suzila Akhmar Binti Ahmad and Assistant Director Mr. Jaafar Sidek, with the APACC President Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe as well.
In his speech, Dir. Teh welcomed everyone and has given a brief introduction and history of the KKTM MARA. MARA is responsible for developing, encouraging, facilitating, and fostering economic and social development in Malaysia, particularly in rural areas. Their core business consists of four (4) major sectors; (1) entrepreneurship, (2) education, (3) investment and (4) support services.
The APACC Accreditors as well as the APACC President were also given a chance to address KKTM Kemaman and MARA with their special remarks. Member Accreditor, Dr. N. Asokan was delighted to be part of the accreditation and appreciated that the institution has decided to move to the next level of excellence. He was looking forward to great learning experiences and was very much interested in the teaching-learning process and their response to the big social responsibility of the organization to improve the people of Malaysia.
Engr. Marjorie Mendenilla, the Lead Accreditor, was excited to go through the documents that were presented and to learn from the institution. Indeed, there are advantages and disadvantages of online accreditation, nevertheless she encourages everyone, that we cannot stop what is good, what is a worthwhile endeavour that the ASEAN Community and the Colombo region has started, and that the quality journey should continue. She was happy that the KKTM is conducting area-based and sector-based programs in response to the needs of the industry.
In continuation, APACC President Prof. Wickramasinghe highlighted that there are 23 Gold Accredited institutions from Malaysia and that he was happy to participate in the commencement of the accreditation. He appreciated the willingness of KKTM Kemaman to be accredited and their commitment to achieve the highest quality standard of APACC.
Starting with the presentation of the MARA Song and the Corporate Video of the KKTM Kemaman, a brief introduction about its organization and the different types of TVET specialization and programs under it was shown. KKTM Kemaman Director, Mr. Md. Khalil Bin Mohamad gave an overview of the institution. He ended his speech by encouraging and wishing everyone a successful accreditation stating the KKTM Kemaman tagline, “Together we are, Exploring the Earth, Fueling the Future”.
After the opening program, a pre-recorded video was presented as part of the tour of facilities with a live onsite presentation of the working units in certain areas such as classrooms and laboratories. Presentation of documentary evidence and interviews with key personnel for each criterion followed right after and continued in the succeeding days of the evaluation.
During the exit meeting, Engr. Marjorie Mendenilla reported KKTM Kemaman’s best practices in the form of commendations, mentioned the affirmations, and addressed the college’s areas for improvement with APACC’s recommendations.
