USM PENANG, 18 Sept. 2022 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is committed in attracting international candidates to pursue their studies at the university through the ‘Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)’ initiative.

According to Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) Chief Executive Officer, Professor Dato' Dr. Mohammad Shatar Sabran, the initiative executed by USM is in line with the initiative on flexible learning that has been continually promoted by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT).

“In addition, it will also raise the interest further towards the Lifelong Learning (PSH) agenda and in establishing the country as a global education hub.

“APEL is an alternative avenue for individuals with work experience, but lacking in formal academic qualifications, who would like to pursue their studies further in higher educational institutions,” he said.

He stated that at the knowledge-sharing session on APEL between MQA and USM held recently.

Said Mohammad Shatar further, ever since it was introduced in 1 September 2011, APEL has provided an alternative pathway to individuals whom do not have the necessary academic requirements to pursue their studies further at the tertiary level.

“APEL has also accepted credit transfers to allow earlier completion of studies.

“Aside from that, APEL is also supporting the national agenda in talent development and in producing highly-skilled workers,” he added.

He said that his department would continue to offer support, consultation services and guidelines to higher educational institutions (IPT) in implementing APEL, as there is a huge potential in the market for it.

“In this country alone, more than 60 percent of the workforce could fulfil the requirements to enrol, notwithstanding the number of students from abroad; therefore it is hoped that more local IPTs would accept students via APEL, and with the necessary support systems already in place.

“I am positive that this initiative would make it appealing in attracting more students from all over the world, in choosing Malaysia as their preferred destination to pursue their tertiary studies,” he said.

Also present at the session were USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Dato' Gs. Dr. Narimah Samat; USM Registrar, Dato' Dr. Musa Ali; MQA Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Quality Assurance), Prof. Ir. Dr. Khairul Salleh Mohamed Sahari; MQA Senior Director (Policy and Expertise Development), Mohammad Dzafir Mustafa; Director, USM Centre for Academic Quality, Prof. Dr. Irfan Naufal Umar; Director, USM Centre for Development of Academic Excellence, Prof. Dr. Abd Karim Alias; and Director, USM Self-Accreditation Centre, Prof. Dr. Azura Rashid.

Text: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin