The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) will introduce Accreditation of Prior Experience-Based Learning (APEL) to recognise certain skills (APEL.S) starting at the end of this year. Its Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohammad Shatar Sabran, said the latest initiative is to expand APEL access and support the lifelong learning (PSH) agenda. He said, PSH is often promoted by KPT to provide the widest possible opportunities for people in this country to have the best academic qualifications. "Through APEL.S, the skills of candidates who apply will be assessed by experts in the relevant field, for example, culinary or automotive, before granting recognition of qualifications based on the level of study, certificate, diploma and beyond. "However, this APEL.S initiative does not involve programs in the professional field," he said. Previously, MQA had introduced four APEL initiatives, namely APEL.A (access to higher education institutions), APEL.C (credit transfer), APEL.Q (awarding qualifications) and APEL.M (micro-credentials). Until December 2024, MQA has received more than 64,000 applications to go through APEL (APEL.A, APEL.C, APEL.Q and APEL.M). Commenting further, Mohammad Shatar said that the introduction of APEL.S will complement the APEL ecosystem previously introduced by MQA, especially in empowering the flexible education agenda. He said that studies through conventional methods are still available from certificate level to doctoral degrees, but his department has already prepared a study approach through future higher education methods with APEL, micro-credentials and work-based learning (WBL). "Through flexible education, people in this country, especially the more than 60 percent of working and employed groups, have the opportunity to continue their studies or improve their academic qualifications in a more flexible way." "It is hoped that all these initiatives will be welcomed by the IPT by becoming an APEL (PPA) assessment centre and then offering programmes through this initiative and for the general public in this country to take the opportunity to improve their qualifications." "Such efforts will certainly be able to boost Malaysia's efforts to become a global education hub as envisioned by the Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, and subsequently become the destination of choice for 250,000 international students by 2030," he said.
Source from   :

Date of Input: 31/01/2025 | Updated: 31/01/2025 | aidawati