ADDRESS BY

YB M. KULA SEGARAN
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCES

TECHNOLOGY TALK:
VIRTUAL REALITY & AUGMENTED REALITY APPLICATIONS IN TVET

AUDITORIUM, ADTEC SHAH ALAM

10 OCTOBER 2019

Salam Sejahtera and Good afternoon.

1. First of all, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the

Manpower Department, Azimuth International and Holovis UK for
their joint effort in organising this event. I think all of us are excited
to be here this afternoon to listen to the experts from the UK talk
about Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) and how
these technologies can be applied in Technical and Vocational
Education and Training (TVET).

2. A few months ago, I visited the University of Warwick in the UK

where VR/AR system is used for automotive engineering education
at the University. This system was actually developed by a company
in the UK called Holovis, whose representatives are here with us
today to share their experience in VR and AR. I was impressed by
the system they have in the UK and I think our TVET institutions can
certainly benefit from similar technology if it is made available in
Malaysia.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. Today, technology is becoming more advance, and at the same

time, more affordable. Take for example the 3D printing

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 technology. 15 years ago, you need big expensive machine to do
rapid prototyping. Only big industries can afford them. In those
days, the machines were making rapid prototypes rather than the
actual products. Today, 3D printers have become smaller and more
affordable that even domestic users can buy and use them.
Furthermore, now 3D printers can be used to make actual products
with a wide variety of materials to choose from including plastics
and metals.

4. As technologies become cheaper, greater number of people will

have access to them. This is called democratization of technology,
where eventually greater masses will have access to technology
that was previously unaffordable. Economies of scale will help bring
down the cost of acquiring technologies. The same thing applies to
VR and AR. For example, today, most of the applications of VR is in
the gaming industry. People used VR technology to play games. So,
VR and AR technology for gaming purpose is affordable to the
public.

5. Nevertheless, custom-designed VR and AR applications for

education and training purposes are still expensive. But if
applications can be developed and adopted by large number of
users, then most likely the costs will be reduced and we can enjoy
better access to VR/AR technology in education and training.

ATTRACTING THE DIGITAL GENERATION TO TVET

Ladies and Gentlemen,

6. In this country, there is a need to attract more people to TVET,

especially among the younger generation. We want TVET to be the
preferred choice among our young people. In order to do this, we

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 need to change the negative perception that TVET is for students
who do not perform well in their academic studies.

7. We also need to change the ways we teach TVET to make the

lessons more interesting and appealing to youths. These are the
digital generation who grew up with computers and smart phones,
and most likely, they are already familiar with VR technology having
played virtual games before.

8. We should also attempt to make traditional trades in TVET such as

construction, metal fabrication, or electrical wiring become more
modern and appealing to the younger generation by putting in
elements of VR and AR to make these programs “cooler” in the eyes
of the younger generation. If we can do this successfully, I believe
we can increase the participation in TVET by the younger
generation.

LEVERAGING ON TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE TVET DELIVERY

Ladies and Gentlemen,

9. One of the limitations to providing greater access to TVET is the

need to have machines and equipment for students to practice
vocational skills. For example, a TVET centre definitely needs
welding machines if they want to teach welding skills to the
students. But what if the welding machines can be replaced, at least
partially, by technologies. For example, if VR and AR can be used to
teach some aspects of welding skills, then potentially we can train
more people with less machines.

10. VR and AR technology can be used to strengthen theoretical

understanding in complex or hard-to-visualize topics. It is a
common criticism for TVET students that despite having strength in

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 practical applications, they lack the theoretical depths compared to
engineering students. Thus, it would be beneficial if this issue can
be addressed by leveraging on VR and AR technology.

11. Perhaps another potentially useful application for AR/VR is for

practical lessons especially in hazardous environment. For example,
perhaps VR application can help students have more frequent
practice on risky operations and procedures, while limiting their
exposure to hazards.

12. The advancements and the affordability of technologies offer

increasing opportunities to modernise our TVET programs in order
to meet new expectations and requirements. I hope today’s
technology talk will help us learn more about VR and AR
applications in TVET. Hopefully we can explore ways to collaborate
and discuss on how best we can implement these technologies in
the future.

Thank you.

Prepared By:

Manpower Department
Ministry of Human Resources

8 October 2019