Technical and vocational education in Malaysia: policy, leadership, and professional growth on Malaysia women

Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) is facing new challenges in an increasingly competitive global context. The continuing under representation of women in engineering fields at semi-skilled and high-skilled levels is receiving renewed attention. This paper explores women as part of special population in Malaysia who desire to be placed as equal to men in Malaysian context. Policy, leadership, and professional growth are discussed comprehensively to support Malaysian females’ involvement in engineering disciplines, one of Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) programs in Malaysia. This paper also explores issues and challenges facing by Malaysian women in order to be recognized by the sub-ordinates, peers, leaders and society within male-dominated professions and environment

Assessing soft skills components in science and technology programs within Malaysian Technical Universities

The workforce is a social environment where particular skills are essential in order for workers to perform well, have a competitive edge and succeed in their careers. A soft skill is one of the skills needed in every type of workplace setting. Soft skills include communication skills, collaboration skills, entrepreneurship, and others. Workplace need workers who are competent not only with technical skills but who also have soft skills. There is lack of literature discussion on the perceptions of needed soft skills in the workplace. Therefore, this study aimed to close the gap in the literature concerning the perceptions of instructors and students in the area of soft skills especially in communication skills, collaboration skills, and entrepreneurship at the workplace. This study aims to decrease the divide in soft skills differences among instructors and students in higher learning institutions so that students have the opportunity to excel in their learning process. This study employs quantitative method specifically using survey as an instrument. The findings shows soft skills including communication, collaboration, and entrepreneurship skills are one of the aspects stressed by the students and instructors at higher learning institutions to ensure that graduates will be employable and competent in order to contribute to the nation development

Assessing soft skills components in science and technology programs within Malaysian Technical Universities

The workforce is a social environment where particular skills are essential in order for workers to perform well, have a competitive edge and succeed in their careers. A soft skill is one of the skills needed in every type of workplace setting. Soft skills include communication skills, collaboration skills, entrepreneurship, and others. Workplace need workers who are competent not only with technical skills but who also have soft skills. There is lack of literature discussion on the perceptions of needed soft skills in the workplace. Therefore, this study aimed to close the gap in the literature concerning the perceptions of instructors and students in the area of soft skills especially in communication skills, collaboration skills, and entrepreneurship at the workplace. This study aims to decrease the divide in soft skills differences among instructors and students in higher learning institutions so that students have the opportunity to excel in their learning process. This study employs quantitative method specifically using survey as an instrument. The findings shows soft skills including communication, collaboration, and entrepreneurship skills are one of the aspects stressed by the students and instructors at higher learning institutions to ensure that graduates will be employable and competent in order to contribute to the nation development

Trust me! a case study of the International Islamic University Malaysia's Waqf Fund

Abstract: This paper documents the development of the International Islamic University Malaysia’s waqf Fund (IIUMWF) from its inception in 1999 to the present as well as examining its accounting practice. Specifically, we examined four pertinent areas: the management of the fund, the fundraising activities (and the types of funds, waqf khass or waqf [amm), the programmes undertaken and the accounting practices of the IIUMWF. The theoretical framework is based on the Islamic concept of accountability. On this, there are two pertinent issues addressed in this study. The first is on disclosure and the second assesses the performance of the waqf. We examined the accounts of the IIUMWF and benchmarked against the framework developed by Ihsan and Shahul (2007). As for performance, we computed three ratios to assess its efficiency: ‘Programme Expenses to Total Expenses’, ‘Investment Income to Average Investment’, and ‘Fund Raising Expenses to Total Related Contributions’. We concluded our paper with various suggestions and recommendations for further improvements in the management and accounting practices of waqfs in general and the IIUM waqf Fund in particular

Trust me! a case study of the International Islamic University Malaysia’s waqf fund

Abstract: This paper documents the development of the International Islamic University Malaysia’s waqf Fund (IIUMWF) from its inception in 1999 to the present as well as examining its accounting practice. Specifically, we examined four pertinent areas: the management of the fund, the fundraising activities (and the types of funds, waqf khass or waqf [amm), the programmes undertaken and the accounting practices of the IIUMWF. The theoretical framework is based on the Islamic concept of accountability. On this, there are two pertinent issues addressed in this study. The first is on disclosure and the second assesses the performance of the waqf. We examined the accounts of the IIUMWF and benchmarked against the framework developed by Ihsan and Shahul (2007). As for performance, we computed three ratios to assess its efficiency: ‘Programme Expenses to Total Expenses’, ‘Investment Income to Average Investment’, and ‘Fund Raising Expenses to Total Related Contributions’. We concluded our paper with various suggestions and recommendations for further improvements in the management and accounting practices of waqfs in general and the IIUM waqf Fund in particular

OPTICAL SWITCHING CONTROLLER USING FPGA AS A CONTROLLER FOR OCDMA ENCODER SYSTEM

This paper proposed a design of optical switching controller using FPGA for OCDMA encoder system. The encoder is one of the new technologies that use to transmit the coded data in the optical communication system by using FPGA and optical switches. It is providing a high security for data transmission due to all data will be transmitting in binary code form. The output si gnals from FPGA are coded with a binary code that given to an optical switch before it signal modulate with the carrier and transmit to the receiver. In this paper, AA and 55 data were used for source 1 and source 2. It is generated sample data and sent packet dat a to the FPGA and stored it into RAM. The simulation results have done by using software Verilog Spartan 2 programming to simulate. After that the output will produces at waveform to display the output. The main function of FPGA controlling unit is producing sing le pulse and configuring optical switching system

Exploring Test Concept and Measurement Through Validity and Reliability Process in TVET Research: Guideline for The Novice Researcher

Validity and reliability are important aspects of research, especially in social science and TVET research. The scales used in research that are important factors to enable good research results. The objective of this paper is to provide insight into important concepts of validity and reliability and also to introduce the major methods to assess validity and reliability as they relate to social science and TVET research. The research design and approach used for this study was a non-experimental research design. The data are using retrospective data and descriptive statistics which were used to run the simulation and analysis. The outcome of this research suggests that Cronbach’s Alpha is the best method to use when checking the reliability in terms of internal consistency. The alpha provides various information that can benefit the researcher, especially in novice research, The result from the simulation shows the importance of conducting validity and reliability test during the research process. It not only provided evidence but also confidence because it reflected consistency and accuracy

Applying standard competency assessment in vocational teaching practices

Teaching in vocational education is focused on knowledge and skills. Psychomotor is an aspect that emphasized in teaching competency in vocational education. Teaching based on psychomotor is a way to provide students with the hands on skills. Teachers are the main character in the teaching session. Therefore, this paper explained the differences among teachers in teaching based Standard Competency Assessment with their expertise in particular field. Research used survey design involved 301 teachers from Vocational Colleges specifically teaching practical task in Technology Courses. The focused elements are experienced and qualification of expertise based on recognition by Malaysia Skill Certification. Result showed that there are differences in the application of the teaching methods between experienced and inexperienced instructors teaching at the workshop from the teaching and evaluation aspects. The skills certificates ownership by the instructors shows differences in the aspects of teaching methods compared to the teaching implementation. In summary, teachers or instructors who teaching in vocational courses need the basic requirement especially skills recognition to fulfill competency assessment

Applying standard competency assessment in vocational teaching practices

Teaching in vocational education is focused on knowledge and skills. Psychomotor is an aspect that emphasized in teaching competency in vocational education. Teaching based on psychomotor is a way to provide students with the hands on skills. Teachers are the main character in the teaching session. Therefore, this paper explained the differences among teachers in teaching based Standard Competency Assessment with their expertise in particular field. Research used survey design involved 301 teachers from Vocational Colleges specifically teaching practical task in Technology Courses. The focused elements are experienced and qualification of expertise based on recognition by Malaysia Skill Certification. Result showed that there are differences in the application of the teaching methods between experienced and inexperienced instructors teaching at the workshop from the teaching and evaluation aspects. The skills certificates ownership by the instructors shows differences in the aspects of teaching methods compared to the teaching implementation. In summary, teachers or instructors who teaching in vocational courses need the basic requirement especially skills recognition to fulfill competency assessment