| Danial Norjidi |
A REGIONAL training programme on the ‘Effective Project Management for TVET Institutions’ began with an opening ceremony yesterday at the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) Regional Centre for Vocational and Technical Education and Training (Voctech).
The programme, which began yesterday and will end on February 22, involves 21 participants from nine SEAMEO-member countries and is being facilitated by course coordinator Dr Abbes Sebihi and resource persons Dr Willie Herrera Libunao and Ariffin bin Haji Yusof.
The main objective of the course is to equip participants with relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes in managing projects for TVET (technical and vocational education and training) institutions.
Specifically, the programme will enable the participants to discuss the issue of project management for TVET institutions; discuss the use and benefits of project management for TVET institutions; integrate organisational strategy with project development; identify, select and define projects; develop project plans; organise the scheduling of resources; manage and lead project teams; and develop and present an action plan. It was shared that the participants will have the opportunity to learn through various platforms, including: sharing of experiences and group workshops; lectures and discussions; group work, class practice and presentations; using software tools; as well as doing exercises, role plays and field visits.
At the end of the programme, the participants will be expected to develop an action plan reflecting their learning from the course, which can be applied in their respective workplaces.
SEAMEO Voctech Centre Director Dr Haji Mohd Zamri bin Haji Sabli in his welcoming remarks at the event said, “It is truly an honour, and a privilege for SEAMEO Voctech to host this regional training programme. I have no doubt in my mind, that this regional training programme will be a worthwhile experience.
“We have an opportunity before us to learn from experts in this field and I hope you all will all walk away from this regional training programme, enriched with a better understanding of contemporary issues in technical and vocational education and training or commonly referred as TVET.”
He said he was sure that through this programme, with the guidance of programme facilitator, Dr Abbes Sebihi, the participants will able to be equipped with a higher proficiency in preparing an effective project management.
“Through this training programme, I am confident that all of you will be able to make valuable contributions into the management practices at your institutions in your respective country.”
He noted that project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements. “Project management is about knowing exactly what your goals are, how you’re going to achieve them, what resources you’ll need, and how long it will take you to reach that specific goal. In fact, project management’s goal is to make sure that everyone involved in a project knows these and is aware of the purpose of the project.”
The centre director highlighted that the value of project management lies in the appropriate allocation of resources to ensure that the project be completed effectively and efficiently.
“In the TVET sector, project management is important since it contributes to enhancing the development of support mechanisms and training programmes for modern labour market demands, which match the innovative economic development of the country,” he continued. “Nowadays, the ability to create innovation in educational institutions is the key in continuously improving the quality of training both towards the new requirements of learning and – particularly in TVET school practices – towards competencies needed in the labour market.
“If the skill system in TVET is to effectively deliver high-quality education and training in Southeast Asia; thus, the management of public and private organisations needs to be improved.”
He affirmed that the ‘Effective Project Management for TVET Institutions’ regional training programme takes advantage of planning competencies as an important factor in making the management of education innovations a success for involvement and collaboration in any project.
“The programme will undertake discussions on theories, principles and practices of project management in TVET institutions of Southeast Asia, including the identification and selection of projects, development of project plans and resource schedules, and the management of project teams. The development of an action plan is expected to help improve their respective institutions’ systems and operations.”
Concluding his remarks, the centre director said, “To the participants, I wish all to have a fruitful and memorable training here at SEAMEO Voctech and be able to use the knowledge gained during this training programme at your respective institutions in your respective countries.”