By: Norul Hanizan Hazin, UMT Alumni Centre

Penang born Ts. Jason Choy Min Sheng is deeply passionate about education and human capital development.

After completing his schooling, he pursued his studies at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) in a Diploma in Fisheries, successfully graduating in 2009. Strongly interested in aquaculture, he continued at the bachelor’s level, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agrotechnology (Aquaculture) in 2012.

This UMT graduate proves that knowledge is never confined to a single field. Today, Ts. Jason Choy is actively involved in professional work centred on education diplomacy, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and strategic collaborations between industry and academia. He is recognised for his commitment to strengthening ties between educational institutions and industry sectors to nurture competitive, industry-ready graduates.

Ts. Jason Choy Min Sheng now serves as the Deputy Director of the Industrial and Community Collaboration Division at the Department of Polytechnic Education and Community Colleges (JPPKK), Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE). It is a strategic role that connects the world of education with industry through various collaborative initiatives and TVET-based skills development efforts.

Driven by a vision to enhance the nation’s TVET ecosystem, he actively plans and implements a wide range of collaborative initiatives with local and international industries. His efforts have opened new opportunities for polytechnic and community college students and lecturers to participate in industrial training, joint research, and future skills development.

“Partnerships with industry are not just about meeting workforce demands,” he said. “They are about building a sustainable future for students and the nation.”

One of the most challenging moments in his career came during his service as First Secretary (Education) at the Embassy of Malaysia in Beijing. In early 2020, he was among the frontline officers in the mission to repatriate Malaysians from Wuhan, China, during the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The team successfully brought home 107 Malaysians and their dependents from Hubei province, a mission officially recognised by the Malaysian government.

Ts. Jason has also led several Malaysian education delegations to China under the China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week (CAECW). Through this initiative, numerous opportunities for academic exchange, joint research, and TVET collaboration were established, positioning Malaysia as an active and respected regional education partner.

Beyond policymaking and education diplomacy, he remains actively involved in writing, publishing, and scholarly sharing.

For his commitment and dedication to public service, Ts. Jason received the Excellent Service Award in 2018 and 2022, as well as the Public Management Alumni Icon at the UMT Alumni Icon Awards (MAIKA) 2022. He was also honoured with the Jasa Bakti Award during the UMT Grand Alumni Homecoming 2025.

“Keep learning, exploring, and contributing. The world is vast, and opportunities await those who dare to step outside their comfort zone,” said the proud UMT alumnus.