COVER STORY

| September-October. 2025

▶ The Technology & Technical Professional Development Council( TPDC) ensures quality tech upskilling through strict certification, accreditation, and audits aligned with industry needs

▶ Malaysian Institute of Microelectronics Systems( MIMOS) supports micro-credentials by providing expertise in emerging tech and aligning curricula with market demands

▶ Malaysia boosts talent growth with BeST 2.0 and MYStartup, while attracting foreign experts under the Malaysia Grand Challenge, with safeguards in place for knowledge transfer

BY FARISHA RAHMAN

At the centre of this push is an ambitious set of initiatives designed to strengthen Malaysia’ s position in the rapidly evolving global technology landscape.

Recognising that the heart of this transformation lies in people, MOSTI is focusing on rapid upskilling, industry-aligned training, and strategic partnerships both locally and internationally to prepare the workforce for the demands of the digital era.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation( MOSTI) Minister Chang Lih Kang said from raising standards in technical training and strengthening certifications to sparking early interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics( STEM) among schoolchildren and facilitating the integration of foreign talent, MOSTI’ s efforts were aimed at building a workforce that is future-ready, globally competitive, and deeply connected to industry needs.

“ By integrating cross-recognition frameworks and implementing regular quality audits, the Technology & Technical Professional Development Council( TPDC) not only ensures that short-term tech courses stay aligned with industry needs but strengthens the credibility and employability of technology and technical professionals,” Chang emphasised.

Chang highlighted the ministry’ s dual focus, which encompasses both immediate workforce development and long-term talent sustainability.

TECH TRIUMPH: SK Tuanku Fatimah, Bentong, Pahang, celebrates their victory as the Zon Timur winner of Malaysia Techlympics.

RAISING TECH STANDARDS

One of the ministry’ s primary focuses this year is fast-tracking the upskilling of the existing workforce through the TPDC under the Malaysia Board of Technologists( MBOT).

The TPDC plays a crucial role in ensuring that short-term tech courses meet the highest industry standards through a structured and comprehensive framework.

This framework includes several key components.

Firstly, the certification policy and cross-recognition initiative ensure that TPDC has established a unified certification policy, which remains aligned with evolving industry and technology trends.

Through collaboration with agencies such as the Department of Skills Development( JPK) and Human Resource Development Corporation( HRD Corp), TPDC has introduced a cross-recognition framework that enables mutual recognition of qualifications.

This approach enhances the credibility of MBOT-certified professionals and boosts their mobility and employability.

Secondly, the accreditation of training programmes involves a rigorous evaluation of short-term technical courses to ensure that at least 70 per cent of the curriculum is technical.

TPDC assess instructor expertise, curriculum relevance, delivery methods, and assessment standards to guarantee that the learning is both practical and industry-focused.

Thirdly, the expert review panels and quality audits component ensures that TPDC appoints panels of industry experts to review certification applications, maintaining transparency and consistency in the accreditation process.

Regular quality audits confirm that training providers continuously meet industry requirements and adapt to technological advancements.

By combining cross-agency recognition, stringent evaluation, and ongoing audits, TPDC ensures that Malaysia’ s tech training ecosystem remains responsive, credible, and impactful.

MIMOS AND MICRO-CREDENTIALS

While the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems( MIMOS) does not directly administer micro-credential programmes, it plays a key role in enabling the ecosystem that supports them.

In the first quarter of 2025, MIMOS launched a multi-pronged strategy to accelerate digital and technical upskilling by collaborating closely with industry stakeholders, higher education institutions, and government agencies.

Its contributions include collaborating with industry to co-develop curricula aligned with real-time labour market needs, partnering with agencies such as HRD Corp to co-fund and scale technical certifications, and providing subject matter expertise in emerging fields like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things( IoT), and cybersecurity.

“ MIMOS also facilitates applied learning through access to facilities, testbeds, and pilot projects. It advises on future job roles and skillsets for advanced technology sectors.

“ While the timelines and enrolment targets are set by implementing agencies, MIMOS’ s role ensures that programmes are technically accurate, market-relevant, and linked to Malaysia’ s broader innovation agenda,” added Chang.

GLOBAL TALENT INTEGRATION

Recognising the value of global expertise, Malaysia has opened pathways for foreign tech talent to participate in local research and development( R & D) activities.

The Malaysia Grand Challenge, for example, is an R & D funding programme under MOSTI that allows non-Malaysian experts from international organisations, expatriates, and other recognised entities to contribute to local projects.

Malaysia ensures that any intellectual property( IP) resulting from governmentfunded research remains the property of the government.

This safeguard not only ensures proper technology transfer but also guarantees that R & D outcomes directly benefit the nation and contribute to the upskilling of local