Kota Kinabalu: School leavers from pondok and tahfiz institutions in Sabah will have a wider pathway to technical and vocational skills through the establishment of Kolej Kemahiran Islam Sabah (KKIS) in Kampung Marasimsim, Kota Marudu.
Pertubuhan Islam Seluruh Sabah (Usia) president Datuk Sapawi Ahmad said KKIS, established through a collaboration between Usia and Institut Islam Darul Ridzuan (IKDAR), aimed to produce students equipped with religious and academic knowledge, as well as technical skills needed in the workforce.
He said the collaboration between Usia and IKDAR, which began in 2023, had now been translated into efforts to develop KKIS, in line with the Government’s emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a key educational pathway for youths.
“This collaboration between Usia and IKDAR has been successfully implemented through the establishment of KKIS, which focuses not only on religious and academic education but also on TVET skills.
“The KKIS building will also be officially launched by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor on Sept 22,” he said when met during the Human Capital Development Programme (PPMI) organised by Usia and IKDAR and officiated by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister (Islamic Religious Affairs) Datuk Isnin Aliasnih, here, on Sept 5.
Sapawi said the launch would also feature exhibitions by several tahfiz and pondok institutions showcasing a range of skills, including drone technology and robotics.
He said the initiative was important in providing students from religious education backgrounds with greater opportunities to adapt to changes in the job market and technological advancements.
On the PPMI, Sapawi said the programme’s focus on artificial intelligence (AI) for participating religious teachers was aimed at enhancing their professional skills, particularly in teaching, while further preparing them for teaching at KKIS.
He said rapid technological developments in areas such as AI, digital technology, robotics and drones required students from religious education backgrounds to gain broader exposure to emerging skills.
“PPMI is among the initial steps to prepare KKIS teaching staff before the college begins full operations. The first group comprises 40 teachers, while nearly 200 more teachers are waiting to participate in the programme.
“The programme focuses specifically on Islamic education management and AI, as well as AI management at certificate and diploma levels, and is also the first of its kind in Malaysia in this field,” he said.
Sapawi said although KKIS was not yet fully operational, the PPMI initiative formed part of the preparations ahead of its full operation, including full student enrolment once requirements such as teaching staff had been put in place in the near future.
He stressed that human capital development must be prioritised, as a nation’s strength depends not only on its economy or military capabilities but also on its ability to develop high-quality human resources to meet future challenges.
Meanwhile, Isnin welcomed the initiative by Usia and IKDAR through KKIS, describing it as a strategic move that met the aspirations and needs of Malaysians.
“I see the establishment of KKIS as a very strategic step because we do not want children, particularly pondok or tahfiz graduates in Sabah, to have only religious and academic education.
“We want them also to have skills that can create career and economic opportunities,” he said.