“Ts. is a title awarded by the Malaysian Board of Technology (MBOT) to qualified Professional Technologists,” explained Assoc. Prof Ts. Dr. Choo Wou Onn, who is himself a qualified Professional Technologist and the current Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology at INTI International University, Nilai (INTI).
Linesh Raj Kumar (left) and Rubinya Sekar (right), students from INTI International University, won the gold medal at the 8th International Innovation, Invention and Design Competition, one of the many competitions INTI students participate in to showcase their innovative ideas and exemplary talents.
AP Ts. Dr. Choo shared, “Technologists and technicians in Malaysia now have a clearer path towards gaining recognition through membership registration with MBOT. The Board recognizes technologists and technicians as professionals who will be able to demonstrate the prestigious side of technology, together with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which are important elements that will help weather the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) and drive the National Transformation 2050 (TN50).”
Graduate Technologists may apply to become Professional Technologists after obtaining a minimum of three years of practical experience in the related technology fields determined by MBOT. While their working experience is not counted from their registration date as Graduate Technologists, MBOT will, however, take into count their previous experience within the related technology fields.
A Graduate Technologist who wishes to apply for the Professional Technologist qualification is required to sit for an assessment in their related field. A non-refundable assessment fee is applicable for all assessments1.
In the era of IR4.0, the value of technology has become even more highly emphasized. Forward-looking principles such as the Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing, autonomous vehicles, biotechnology and nanotechnology are embedded within IR4.0. Emerging technologies have changed the nature of jobs in Malaysia. Developing sufficient skilled human talents to operate and work alongside these rising technologies is key in the continuous development of our country.
“There is a host of new types of jobs that require professionals to master new skills and tasks. Despite how quickly technologies advance, they will not replace technologists. Instead, they empower them to do their jobs more efficiently. Technologists use human skills and characteristics that machines cannot replicate such as intelligence, creativity and experience. This is the kind of mind-set we need to adopt,” expressed AP Ts. Dr. Choo, who also affirms that while IR4.0 plays a vital role in our daily lives, most of us may be unaware of its full impact.
Another experienced Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering and Quantity Surveying at INTI, Ir. Ts. Gerald Victor also shared his views about the future of professional technologists in Malaysia.
INTI International University’s students at the USIM ATUR KREATIF 2019 programming competition.
“As our country is accelerating towards becoming a scientifically and technologically advanced nation, many industries have started to expand on technological careers and opportunities, and are working towards empowering TVET to meet the international industrial standards of IR4.0. I am certain that if these initiatives continue, our country will be able to stand out on the international front besides turning into a high income economy,” said Ir. Ts. Gerald.
He also pointed out that the use of robotics and artificial intelligence in the manufacturing industry had changed the landscape of skills and knowledge required by today’s workforce. The demand to upskill employees is now more prevalent to enable businesses to stay competitive in the ever growing market.
Both AP Ts. Dr. Choo and Ir. Ts. Gerald shared similar thoughts about the initiatives taken by INTI to inspire students to become successful professional technologists in the near future.
“We prepare our students with a mindset for lifelong learning; acquiring the ability to relearn and reskill along the way to survive today’s challenging employment market. Equipping our students with critical problem solving skills and creative thinking skills throughout the duration of their programmes is one of our priorities as it helps spur students towards continuous growth and learning in their respective fields of interest, and to one day becoming the agent of change in the industry,” shared Ir. Ts. Gerald.
AP Ts. Dr. Choo concluded, “We are confident that our students will be both industry and employer ready before they graduate as we work with established industry partners such as IBM, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Commercial & Industrial Security Corporation (CISCO), SAS and many more via real life practical and research projects. INTI has always been an institution dedicated to the advancement of innovative learning and the reinvention of education, including ensuring our students are well prepared for IR4.0 and beyond.”
1 https://www.mbot.org.my/registration/professional-technologists/