national industry dialogue 2009 - Jabatan Pengajian Politeknik

PREFACE
The National Industry Dialogue 2009 in Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC),
Putrajaya was the fourth dialogue organised by the Department of Polytechnic Education (DPE),
Ministry of Higher Education. The theme for this year’s dialogue was ‘Workforce Development
in a Changing Market by Engaging Industries’. The objectives were to promote and
strengthen industry-education collaboration so as to develop a common understanding of the
industry’s needs and how polytechnics and community colleges can fulfill those needs for the
national as well as the international market.
The dialogue was attended by 207 participants with 83 representatives from 56 agencies,
associations and public listed companies from the industry together with senior officers from the
Ministry of Higher Education, polytechnics and community colleges.
PROCEEDINGS
KEYNOTE ADDRESS : Workforce Development in a Changing Market by Engaging Industries
Presenter : Y. Bhg. Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin
Minister of Higher Education, Malaysia
The National Dialogue 2009 is seen as a beneficial platform to better understand the needs of
the industry within the context of national development. The input collected was acted on and
continuous feedback and support from the industry in forums and dialogues are highly
encouraged. The engagement between the industry and higher education can be improved
through finding better ways of working together which demands great commitment from both
parties.
In order to thrive in today’s dynamic global economy, we need a highly sophisticated and
adaptable workforce, capable of facing challenges at home and abroad. Different higher
education institutions have different functions and roles to play. These education institutions
produce students of different skills. Polytechnics are given the specific role as the premier
provider of technical and professional education, producing a technical competent work force for
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