Preparations for the upcoming 4th BIMP-EAGA TVET Conference 2024 are in full swing to welcome more than five hundred (500) conference delegates, speakers, panellists and moderators from nine countries.
Commenting on the upcoming conference, Mr. Hallman bin Sabri, Executive Director of the Sarawak Skills Group of Learning Institutions (Sarawak Skills) highlighted, “The 4th BIMP-EAGA TVET Conference 2024 will be held on 11 and 12 December 2024 at the Imperial Hotel in Kuching. This conference is a significant event under the Human Resources Development (HRD) Working Group (HRD-WG) of the BIMP-EAGA Socio-Cultural and Education (SCE) Cluster for year 2024. In this respect, I am pleased to share that the Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak, has confirmed his attendance to officiate the conference and deliver the keynote address.”
He continued, “Aptly themed ‘Building a Sustainable Future Through TVET’, the conference is jointly organized by the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Sarawak (MEITD), the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and Sarawak Skills. We are also grateful for the tremendous support of our strategic partners, namely the Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia (KESUMA), the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MoHE), the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, and Investment Sarawak (MINTRED), the Federation of Malaysian Skills Development Centres (FMSDC), the Department for Business and Trade, British High Commission Kuala Lumpur and i-CATS University College. Our thanks also to Business Events Sarawak and our sponsors for their various forms of support!”
Mr. Hallman, who is also the Chairman of the Federation of Malaysian Skills Development Centres (FMSDC), emphasized, “The conference aims to address the evolving demands of the industries and workforce, and foster regional cooperation by bringing together key stakeholders, industry leaders, and practitioners. In this respect, the conference will feature a stellar lineup of thirty-nine (39) speakers, panellists and moderators from Malaysia and abroad, including Australia, Brunei Darussalam, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. During the conference, the various speakers who are leading experts, practitioners and thought leaders from the broad spectrum of academia, industry and government, will share their perspectives on various topics under four sub-themes, namely Advancing Skills Development for the Future of Work, Transformation of TVET Ecosystem, Industry and TVET Institution Partnerships, and BIMP-EAGA and the Transformation of TVET. Delegates will also have the opportunity to learn about the Sarawak Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) and the government’s initiatives to transform six key economic sectors aligned with the region’s growth. On the second day of the conference, there will be a UK Skills Dialogue organized by the Department for Business and Trade, British High Commission Kuala Lumpur followed by two panel discussions/forums. Indeed, the conference serves as a platform to share best practices in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), identify essential skills for future TVET graduates, and explore how TVET can evolve amidst technological advancements and global transformations. This will enable delegates to obtain first-hand information on the issues that matter, and the importance of contributing to TVET’s ongoing transformation to meet or even exceed humanity’s current and future needs.”
Mr. Hallman also shared that one of the highlights of the conference would be the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between Sarawak Skills and i-CATS University College with seventeen strategic partners from various countries, including BIMP-EAGA member countries. This paves the way for the parties to synergize their expertise and resources, especially in the area of joint talent development initiatives.
In addition to the conference sessions, delegates will have the opportunity to visit exhibition booths set up by learning providers, agencies, and corporate sponsors. Students and staff members from secondary schools, colleges, and universities, and members of the public are also encouraged to visit the booths.
For HRD Corp registered employers, the registration fee of RM1,500 per delegate is HRD Corp claimable. Undergraduate and postgraduate students can attend at a special student rate of RM398.
For further details, registration, sponsorship opportunities, or booth rentals, interested parties can contact the conference secretariat: Ms. Linda John (011-29929916) or Mr. Flavian Jerry Francis (013-8355675, 082-539222). They can also be reached via email at tvet2024@sarawakskills.edu.my or through the conference website: tvetsarawak2024.my.
Photos Taken After the Sarawak Skills Conference Internal Working Committee Meeting on 30 November 2024 at the Sarawak Skills Group Headquarters, Tabuan Jaya, Kuching.
Mr. Hallman bin Sabri (seated, centre), Executive Director of Sarawak Skills, and Chairman of the Federation of Malaysian Skills Development Centres (FMSDC) with the conference brochure.
