Ready for it: Lumang (left) and Khalifa at the event in Jeju.
AS the wave of digitalisation continues to sweep across the world’s industries, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) cannot afford to miss the bandwagon.
“Digital simulations could greatly enhance safety, precision and engagement – whether in a kitchen, a salon, or a welding booth,” said Keningau Vocational College (KVC) Excellent Teacher in English Khalifa Affnan.
He was sharing insights gained as a participant at the “Capacity-Building Workshop on AI and Digital Transformation in Education” organised by Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Technical Education Development (SEAMEO TED) in Jeju Island, South Korea.
The event, held in partnership with Cheju Halla University from March 23 to 26, involved Asean TVET teachers, including KVC director Lumang Anak Lang.
During the workshop, the participants explored the role of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality and digital tools in transforming TVET.
For Khalifa and Lumang, the experience was more than a professional workshop, as noted in a KVC press release.
“The experience became a turning point in envisioning how such technologies could be adapted to benefit vocational students in Sabah – not only in hospitality programmes like cosmetology, bakery and pastry, and culinary arts, but also in technical programmes such as automotive, electrical, construction and welding,” it read.
During their trip, the Malaysian delegates also visited Seoul Technical High School, where they observed high-tech workshops integrating three-dimensional printing, industrial automation and Internet of Things technologies.
“We’re not just importing ideas – we’re adapting them to our local context,” said Lumang.
KVC, the statement read, is developing KVC Nexus, a homegrown digital platform to streamline management and academic workflows across the college.
While the team acknowledged challenges such as training teachers to adapt, securing infrastructure funding, and ensuring inclusion for special needs learners, they highlighted the opportunities, including enhanced practical learning, efficient management, and preparing Sabah’s youth for a digital-first world.
Khalifa expressed hope that more teachers from Sabah would step forward in digital education initiatives.
“Sabah has the talent and potential. With the right support and boldness, we can lead – not just follow – this wave of digital transformation,” he said.
Over the years, KVC has supported digital empowerment under the leadership of its teachers, many of whom have been nationally recognised as Digital Generation Leader Teachers, Digital Champion Teachers, Apple Learning Coaches, and Google Certified Educators (Levels 1 & 2), the press release added.
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