Putrajaya, 7 November 2025 – The Faculty of Educational Studies (FPP), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) continues to strengthen its role in empowering the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) thru knowledge sharing in the Pocket Talk Series 2 session titled "Creating Opportunities, Not Excuses" in conjunction with the Festival of Ideas (FOI) 2025.
The session featured Ts. Dr. Mohd Hazwan Mohd Puad, Head of the Department of Science and Technical Education, FPP UPM, shared his knowledge and experience in the field of TVET with participants from various backgrounds, including representatives from universities, polytechnics, community colleges, vocational schools and colleges, as well as industry practitioners and community members.
This sharing emphasizes the importance of TVET as a strategic platform for developing highly skilled human capital capable of meeting the real needs of industry. Among the main points highlighted is that the role of TVET is not just to produce technical workers, but also individuals with strong soft skills, resilience, and an entrepreneurial mindset.
According to Ts. Dr. Mohd Hazwan, TVET needs to be seen as a platform for creating opportunities and innovation, not as an excuse for academic or labor market constraints. "TVET is not just about certificates, but about skills, mentality, and added value that enable someone to create economic opportunities and contribute to national development," he explained.
The interactive session also opened up space for two-way discussions between participants and speakers, strengthening understanding of the direction of TVET within the national education ecosystem.
At the end of the session, the participants unanimously agreed that TVET is an important pillar in producing a generation of students who are not only skilled, but also creative, forward-thinking, and capable of becoming leaders in the future economy.