NEWS: Software giant expands IHL programme

KUALA LUMPUR: Software giant Microsoft has enhanced its IT academy programme at 22 institutes of higher learning (IHLs) in the country. The IHLs can now offer Microsoft certification to their IT graduates if the students participate in the programme.

This marks the second phase of the programme which was established two years ago to enhance the employability of graduates in the workforce through the learning of applicable IT skills.

In the new phase, IHLs are now able to offer Microsoft’s world-recognised industry ­certification. This means, the graduates will receive both their degrees and industry ­certification.

Among the universities which are ­participating are University Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Politeknik Sultan Idris Shah, and Politeknik Ungku Omar.

Microsoft IT Academy is part of an industry certification programme called 3P (Professional Certification Programme) ­developed by the Ministry of Higher Education and IT training company Prestariang Systems Sdn Bhd in support of human capital development in the country.

The US-based software giant provides universities with the Microsoft curriculum; skills training that link academic learning to real-world job requirements to help students graduate with the right skills; complete instructional resources for both student hands-on learning and instructor professional development; and the Microsoft Industry Certification.

Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the expanded 3P programme adds more value to a basic degree.

“Future foreign investors are no longer just interested in a country’s stability and the kind of physical infrastructure it has but also the type of talent that resides in that country,” he said in his speech when officiating at the Snap-a-Job 2008 exhibition at the Putra World Trade Centre here recently.

He said the Government will continue to encourage local universities to produce more professional graduates and to prepare them for both domestic and global markets.

“Our graduates need to be recognised (as among the best) globally in order to attract more foreign investors to the country and to do that we must make sure our graduates meet international benchmarks,” he added.