Digital literacy and accessibility in education are priorities - Dr Adeeba

SHAH ALAM - Monash University's chief executive officer, pro-vice-chancellor, and president, Professor Adeeba Kamarulzaman, has stressed the critical importance of adapting to the digital age, nurturing soft skills, and investing in education to shape a future-ready workforce.

She urged the government, industry, and education sectors to work together to create a more inclusive and accessible education system that prepares students for the demands of the future workforce.

“This entails investing in cutting-edge tools and infrastructure for online and blended learning while promoting digital literacy from an early age.

“Going on this journey to digitalisation, it is also essential to drive education's accessibility, regardless of background or abilities, as a priority.

"This includes a focus on scholarships, financial aid, and facilities catering to differently-abled students,” she said.

Adeeba added that on-ground experience allows students to best prepare themselves and their expectations for the workforce as building soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and emotional intelligence is highly valued by employers, and these skills should be explored and emphasised through practical experiences and mentorship initiatives.

“To set the stage, education sectors need to create environments that allow students to practise nurturing critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability by embracing project-based learning and interdisciplinary approaches,” she said.

She added that investment in schools should prioritise updated and diverse curricula that address current and future challenges.

“This includes hiring well-trained teachers and providing them with continuous professional development. Besides, upgrading school infrastructure and ensuring access to digital resources is essential.

"Besides, she said investment in vocational training centres should focus on state-of-the-art equipment and partnerships with industries to ensure students receive practical, job-relevant skills.

“Scholarships and incentives for students pursuing vocational education can further promote this path," she said.

She said higher education institutions play a crucial role in shaping the future workforce.

She added that investments in research facilities, faculty development, and infrastructure are needed to maintain their quality and relevance.

“Scholarships and financial aid must be expanded to make tertiary education accessible to a broader spectrum of the population.

“Research is the cornerstone of progress. Increased funding for research in universities can lead to innovations that drive economic growth.

“Public and private partnerships in research should be encouraged,” she said.