DURATION:
5 days, 5 nights
DATE:
September 29 - October 3, 2025 (including travel time)
VENUE:
Malaysia
NO. OF PARTICIPANTS/TARGET GROUP:
13 officials from Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial School of Arts and Trades (JZGMSAT)

Background

Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial School of Arts and Trades (JZGMSAT) had been APACC accredited in 2009 and 2012, earning bronze awards for both accreditation cycles. In 2022, JZGMSAT became the first institution under Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippines, to undergo APACC on-site accreditation in two years since the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted globally, earning their silver award for the first time.

As part of its continuous improvement efforts, JZGMSAT is seeking to benchmark its operations, processes and standards against the best TVET institutions in the Asia Pacific Region. As such, thirteen (13) officials from JZGMSAT would undertake a series of benchmarking visits to fellow APACC awardee institutions in Malaysia.

The benchmarking visit will involve a comprehensive review of Malaysia’s TVET curriculum, teaching and learning methodologies, industry engagement, student support services, faculty development, and overall quality assurance mechanisms. The insights gained will aid JZGMSAT’s strategic direction to drive continuous improvement and achieve its aspirations of achieving Gold or Platinum Level accreditation.

The Colombo Plan Staff College, as an intergovernmental organization for human resources development through TVET development in the Asia Pacific region, assists in facilitating the exchange of best practices in TVET, creating an avenue for stimulated discussions among TVET stakeholders. CPSC actively facilitates the exchange of proven best practices in TVET among its member countries. This collaborative approach involves sharing successful strategies, policies, and programs that have effectively advanced technical and vocational education.

Thus, CPSC is pleased to identify opportunities for cooperation with Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial School of Arts and Trades (JZGMSAT) through this benchmarking program.

Objectives of the Study Tour

By conducting a study visit at the best TVET institutions in Malaysia this benchmarking program aims to:

  • Identify best practices: Examine the policies, procedures and initiatives implemented by the benchmark institutions that have enabled them to attain the APACC Platinum & Gold status. This will help JZGMSAT identify areas for improvement and innovative approaches to enhance its operations.
  • Assess alignment with international standards: Evaluate JZGMSAT’s performance against the benchmarks set by the APACC Awardee Institutions, which have demonstrated their alignment with global best practices in TVET delivery.
  • Facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration: Engage with Malaysian institutions to foster an exchange of ideas, strategies, and solutions that can be adapted and implemented at JZGMSAT.
  • Enhance JZGMSAT’s positioning as a premier polytechnic institution: By aligning its processes and standards with APACC awardee institutions, JZGMSAT can enhance its reputation, credibility and attractiveness among prospective students, industry partners, and other stakeholders. This will contribute to its vision of becoming a premier polytechnic institution in the region.

Instructional Strategies

To facilitate productive and interactive learning, the following instructional strategies will be utilized to effectively train the participants:

  • Face-to-face orientation
  • Study Visits
  • Experience Sharing

Date and Platform

The program will be conducted at Politeknik Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia and at the Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA Masjid Tanah in Melaka, Malaysia. The proposed date is from September 29 – October 3, 2025.

Program Schedule

Date Activity / Institution to Visit
Morning Afternoon
September 29, 2025
(Monday)		 Travel from Manila to Kuala Lumpur Negeri Sembilan Cultural Tour
Free & Easy
September 30, 2025
(Tuesday)		 Study Visit 1:
Politeknik Port Dickson
APACC Platinum Awardee		 Industry Partner Visit
Travel from PPD to KKTM Masjid Tanah
October 1, 2025
(Wednesday)		 Study Visit 2:
Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA Masjid Tanah
APACC Platinum Awardee		 Industry Partner Visit
Free & Easy
October 2, 2025
(Thursday)		 Melaka Cultural Tour Free & Easy
Travel from KKTM Masjid Tanah to Kuala Lumpur
October 3, 2025
(Friday)		 Kuala Lumpur City Tour
Free & Easy
Travel from Manila to Kuala Lumpur

*subject to change upon finalization*

Description of Institutions

The Politeknik Port Dickson (PPD), located at a 100acre area in Si Rusa, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, was established in 1990. It is currently headed by the Director, Mr. Haji Hasan Bin Mohd Sharif. The Polytechnic caters to about 5,500 students annually through the efforts of 363 full-time faculty members and 110 full-time staff.

PPD envisions to be a towering TVET institution globally. Its mission is to produce quality, holistic and well-balanced TVET graduates with entrepreneurship to fulfill the needs of the nation, to develop and sustain smart partnerships with relevant parties locally and internationally, and to benefit society through education, research and innovation. PPD is a recipient of the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) Platinum Award in 2023.

The Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA (KKTM) Masjid Tanah is located at a 70-acre area in Melaka, Malaysia and was established in 1966. It is currently headed by its Director, Mr. Shabudin Bin Said. KKTM caters to an average of 542 students annually, employing 65 teaching staff and 25 non-teaching staff. KKTM’s vision is to be an “Outstanding and Trustworthy Organization in Upholding the Nation’s Pride” with a mission to shape a holistic TVET Human Capital with entrepreneurial values. KKTM is a recipient of the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) Platinum Award in 2022.