Two Sabah teachers represented Malaysia in the ‘Capacity-Building Workshop on AI and Digital Transformation in Education’, hosted by Seameo Ted in collaboration with Cheju Halla University, in Jeju, South Korea, recently.
The Keningau Vocational College (KVC) team included College Director Lumang Anak Lang and Excellent Teacher in English Khalifa Affnan. They accompanied fellow teachers from Asean nations to venture into the role of AI, VR, and digital tools in reshaping Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The experience was a milestone in conceptualizing how such technologies could be used to advantage vocational students in Sabah not just in hospitality programs such as cosmetology, bakery & pastry, and culinary arts, but also technical programs like automotive, electrical, construction, and welding. "Digital simulations could significantly improve safety, accuracy, and engagement—whether in a kitchen, a salon, or a welding booth", Khalifa added.
The Malaysian delegates also visited Seoul Technical High School, a long-time KVC partner since 2017, where they observed high-tech workshops integrating 3D printing, industrial automation, and IoT technologies.
KVC is currently developing KVC Nexus, a homegrown digital platform to streamline management and academic workflows across the college.
“We’re not just importing ideas we’re adapting them to our local context”, says Lumang.
KVC educators have been awarded as Digital Generation Leader Teachers (GPGD), Digital Champion Teachers (Cikgu Juara Digital), Apple Learning Coaches, and Google Certified Educators (Level 1 & 2) reflective of the college's dedication to digital empowerment.
Nevertheless, the team realizes there are genuine challenges: upskilling teachers to convert, capital needed for infrastructure, and making room for special needs learners.
The potential, though, is deep: increased hands-on learning, effective management, and enabling Sabah's young people to thrive in an online-first world.
