CYBERJAYA: A portal is now available to promote flexible education as one of the main thrusts to support lifelong learning.
The 'Micro-credentials Portal', by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), will serve as a one-stop centre for local and international students to obtain information on micro-credentials programmes in Malaysia.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad said the portal was expected to provide facilities to institutions of higher education, to make further reviews on micro-credentials and for the transfer of students' credits to be awarded academic qualifications.
"This portal will strengthen the lifelong learning ecosystem, where the initiative is not only focused on expanding access but also emphasises the quality aspect to facilitate recognition for students.
"It is hoped that more accredited programmes will be broken down and listed in this portal for the reference of all parties," Noraini said at the launch of the portal at the MQA headquarters.
Present were Higher Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar; its deputy secretary-general (policy) Datuk Dr Megat Sany Megat Ahmad Supian, its deputy secretary-general (management and development) Dr Mohd Zabri Yusoff, its director-general Prof Datuk Dr Husaini Omar, MQA council chairman Tan Sri Mohd Khairul Adib Abdul Rahman and MQA chief executive officer Prof Datuk Dr Mohammad Shatar Sabran.
Noraini advised institutions of higher learning to strengthen cooperation and synergies of micro-credentials offered with MQA.
This, she said, would strengthen all guidelines and principles of the micro-credentials ecosystem based on the Malaysian Qualifications Framework.
"This will be able to attract international students to follow micro-credentials programs in Malaysia and help make the country a global education hub," she said.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Shatar said in meetings with international quality assurance agencies in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), India, United Kingdom and Spain (Barcelona), micro-credentials were the main topic of discussion.
"Short-term courses are at the core of the industry's demand in upskilling and reskilling, thus, indicating that micro-credentials were the education of the future.
"We can take pride when our country became a pioneer as was proven when Malaysia emerged as the world's second-highest search in Google Trends on micro-credentials after Australia," Mohammad Shatar said.
He added that at the Southeast Asian level, the executives of the Asean Quality Assurance Network (AQAN) had also started discussing micro-credentials.
"As AQAN president, I believe Malaysia and MQA will be the reference centre for this initiative.
"This will be able to attract international students to follow micro-credentials programmes in Malaysia and help make the country a global education hub," he said.