Hello, and a very good morning from my office here at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in vibrant Johor Bahru.
My name is Muhammad Khair Noordin, and I’m a Senior Lecturer here in the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology. My academic home is the Department of Advanced TVET, a place where we are constantly exploring the future of learning and how we prepare the next generation for the challenges ahead.
My Research Interests & Philosophy
My entire career is built on a simple but powerful belief: the most profound learning happens when your hands are as busy as your mind. I’m driven to break down the traditional walls between abstract classroom theory and tangible, real-world application. This philosophy is the foundation of my primary research interests:
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Project-Based Learning (PjBL)
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Problem-Based Learning (PBL)
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Engineering Education
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Innovation in Teaching and Learning
At the heart of it, I explore how we can challenge students not just to know, but to do. It’s about creating an educational ecosystem where curiosity leads to inquiry, and inquiry leads to meaningful, hands-on creation.
My Technical Expertise: The Tools for Innovation
To bring my research philosophy to life, I specialize in weaving cutting-edge technology directly into the fabric of the learning experience. My expertise isn’t just in pedagogy; it’s in the tools that empower modern, innovative education. 🛠️
My technical playground includes:
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Programming & Robotics: I believe coding is the modern language of creation. I guide students in bringing their ideas to life, from writing foundational code to designing, building, and controlling sophisticated robotic systems.
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PLC & IoT: We dive deep into industrial automation. My work involves hands-on training with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) the brains of modern factories and then connecting them through the Internet of Things (IoT) to create smart, data-driven systems for our projects.
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Extended Reality (XR): This is where we truly push the boundaries of learning. I am actively developing and using Extended Reality (VR/AR) to create immersive simulations where students can safely practice on complex machinery, visualize invisible data streams, or collaborate on a digital twin of a factory floor.
By integrating these technologies, we transform Engineering Education. We can create authentic, project-based scenarios where students must program a PLC, design a robotic gripper, and monitor the entire system via an IoT dashboard, all while learning critical problem-solving skills. This is what Innovation in Teaching and Learning looks like in the 21st century.
Being here in Johor, at the heart of a dynamic industrial and technological hub, provides the perfect backdrop for this work. If you share this passion for shaping the future of hands-on education or have an idea for a collaboration, I would be absolutely thrilled to connect.
Please feel free to reach out to me at mdkhair@utm.my.
Advanced TVET: Shaping Experts, Driving the Nation’s Future.
Advanced TVET (ATVET) is a vital and necessary evolution for Malaysia’s workforce development and economic future. It’s not just an upgrade to traditional vocational training, it’s a fundamental shift required to meet the demands of a high-tech, globalized economy.
Advanced TVET moves beyond basic vocational skills and focuses on higher-level technical competencies required by advanced industries.
- Produces High-Skilled Talent: ATVET is specifically designed to train a workforce for Industry 4.0 and beyond. This includes complex fields like automation, mechatronics, IoT (Internet of Things), data analytics, and advanced manufacturing. Graduates aren’t just technicians, they are technologists and applied engineers capable of operating, maintaining, and innovating sophisticated systems.
- Enhances Career Pathways: It provides a clearer and more prestigious pathway for students. Instead of a dead-end vocational certificate, ATVET offers progression from diploma to degree levels (like a Bachelor of Technology) and even postgraduate studies. This elevates the status of vocational education and makes it a more attractive option.
- Strengthens Industry-Academia Links: ATVET models, like Germany’s dual-training system, are built on deep collaboration with industry. Companies are involved in curriculum design, provide apprenticeships, and supply modern equipment. This ensures that what students learn is exactly what the industry needs, drastically reducing the skills gap.
- Boosts National Competitiveness: A country with a strong ATVET system can attract high-value foreign investment and foster homegrown innovation. It creates a workforce that can support and drive high-tech industries, moving the economy up the value chain from a low-cost production base to a knowledge-based one.
While the potential is huge, implementing Advanced TVET effectively comes with significant challenges:
- Curriculum Agility: Technology changes at an incredible pace. ATVET institutions must be able to update their curriculum constantly to remain relevant, which can be a slow process in traditional academic structures.
- High Cost: Advanced technology requires advanced equipment. The cost of setting up and maintaining labs with industry-grade machinery, robotics, and software is substantial.
- Public Perception: There is still a lingering stigma that TVET is a “second-choice” pathway compared to a traditional university degree. A significant effort is needed to change this mindset among parents, students, and even some employers.
- Qualified Trainers: Instructors for ATVET need to be more than just teachers, they must have recent, hands-on industry experience. Attracting and retaining these professionals in academia can be difficult as they are often highly paid in the private sector.
In conclusion, I believe Advanced TVET is the future of vocational education and a non-negotiable strategy for a nation aiming for high-income status. While the investment and effort required are considerable, the long-term payoff in terms of a skilled workforce, economic resilience, and global competitiveness is immense.
