Everyone dreams of the best life in this world. One of the ways to improve the quality of life is through education. It should be acknowledged that education is the main element in the measurement of someone’s level of knowledge.

Our predecessors liked to say the phrase “study hard for a happy life”. For most people, they are able to change their life only through education. Their condition is different from that of the elite group because the elite group already has the foundation such as business empires that are strong and can be expanded. In comparison, the commoner group has limited access.

Also through education one can go further, by using the expert knowledge one owns that eventually will make him or her being sought after by corporate bodies and the industry.

The government also gives support to those interested in further their education at various levels through the concept of Lifelong Learning (PSH).

PSH is an important agenda introduced internationally through the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDG2030). The implementation of PSH is believed can produce a Madani Society introduced by the 10^th Prime Minister through reinforcement of literacy, skills, and knowledge.

The Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) as the main agency to deploy the PSH agenda nationally plays an important role in creating further education opportunity through the PSH concept which has the potential to positively impact the quality of life in addition to providing the opportunity for income that is commensurate with the level of knowledge and skills possessed.

To support the implementation of PSH at every segment of society, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has established a special centre called UMT Life that acts as a facilitator to assist the public in gaining further education.

The establishment of the centre is in line with the aspiration of national Lifelong Learning, which is the third pillar in the human capital development for the nation. This inspiration has been justified in the document of the Blueprint of Enculturation of Lifelong Learning for Malaysia 2011 – 2022.

UMT Life Director Prof. Dr Hafiza Aishah Hashim said the centre offers learning packages that are easy to follow and open to every segment of society.

“Generally PSH is a process of comprehensive and continuous education, encompassing all forms of learning activities at every age and socioeconomic background level carried out using various approaches and in a flexible manner.

She said PSH is also one of UMT’s strategies in widening access to education and strengthening the agenda of lifelong learning, in line with the aspiration in Malaysia Education Blueprint (2015 – 2025) – Higher Education Shift 3.

“The centre is responsible for enculturating lifelong learning and coordinating the development, improvement, and implementation of innovative programmes at UMT.

She said the centre accepts working experiences as an alternative qualification for entrance into UMT as students.

“For student intake into the programmes of Diploma (APEL T-4), Bachelor (APEL T-6), Master’s (APEL T-7), and Doctorate (APEL T-8) via APEL track, we will process the applications and work together with the academic division and the faculties.

“UMT willingly accepts students with APEL qualification. UMT fully supports the country’s effort to develop society that is knowledgeable, willing to improve, progressive, and competitive by providing the opportunity for furthering the study at the university by recognizing prior working experiences despite not having a formal qualification”.

In addition, the centre also offers short terms programmes such as micro-credentials, MOOC, and short term courses.

UMT Life also offers professional certification programmes and executive programmes through Long Term Programmes.

She added the centre will assist the public in gaining comprehensive and continuous learning, encompassing all form of activities at every age level and socioeconomic background to fulfil the learning needs and conducted using several methods.

“UMT Life helps individuals improve their existing knowledge and skills by providing opportunities for them to increase and improve their self-quality through continuous knowledge and skills as well as ensuring the physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual developments of the students are balanced in order to produce excellent human capital”, she said.

Published by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu