The Institut Kemahiran MARA (IKM) Bintulu embarked on its journey towards its certification from the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) through the conduct of its Online Evaluation from February 7-11, 2022 via Microsoft Teams.

The evaluation exercise commenced through an opening program, with the attendance of several officials from IKM Bintulu and the APACC Accreditation Team. Present from the IKM Bintulu’s side are IKM Bintulu Director Mr. Mohd Syukri bin Abdullah, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) Assistant Director Mr. Jaafar Sidek Bin Mohd Ani, as well as the Working Group Leaders of the seven APACC criterion with their team members. The APACC Accreditation Team composed of Lead Accreditor Prof. Dr. G. Kulanthaivel from India, Dr. Luisita Dela Cruz from the Philippines, and Documentation Officer Mr. Jan Michael Marasigan from the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) are present as well at the program.

Clockwise from top left: MARA Asst. Dir. Mr. Jaafar Sidek Bin Mohd Ani; APACC Member Accreditor Dr. Luisita Dela Cruz; IKM Bintulu Director Mr. Mohd Syukri bin Abdullah; APACC Assistant Ms. Marisoc Catud; IKM Bintulu Officer Pn. Insani Anak Genam; APACC Lead Accreditor Dr. G. Kulanthaivel; and APACC Documentation Officer Mr. Jan Michael Marasigan

The online evaluation proper ensued, which involved video presentation and live tour of IKM Bintulu’s facilities, amenities, and services; reporting of the institute’s pieces of evidence on the seven APACC Criteria; and interview of the accreditation team with the working group leaders and members. The evaluation lasted for three days to ensure that all areas are covered, all important documents are shown, and every relevant question are answered.

During the live tour of the facilities

The online evaluation ended through an Exit Meeting on day 5 of the exercise which was facilitated by Pn. Insani Anak Genam. The ceremony was attended by IKM Bintulu Director Mr. Mohd Syukri bin Abdullah, MARA Assistant Director Mr. Jaafar Sidek Bin Mohd Ani, IKM Bintulu officers and staff, APACC Accreditation Team, and APACC President Prof. G.L. Dharmasri Wickramasinghe. The qualitative findings were delivered by the Lead Accreditor Dr. G. Kulanthaivel, and were well received by the IKM Bintulu Management. The final scores and accreditation level will be determined and relayed to the institution after the deliberation of the APACC Board on its succeeding meeting.

Clockwise from top left: APACC President Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe; IKM Bintulu Officer Pn. Insani Anak Genam; IKM Bintulu Director Mr. Mohd Syukri bin Abdullah; and APACC Lead Accreditor Dr. G. Kulanthaivel