PEKAN: Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah’s (UMPSA) Centre for Modern Languages has been elevated to the Faculty of Applied Language Studies to meet industry needs.
UMPSA vice-chancellor Professor Ts Dr Yatimah Alias said the change would enrich students’ learning experience and widen access for the community and industry to language education, training and skills development.
She said the move reflected the university’s efforts to broaden its academic focus beyond technology and engineering while producing graduates with strong communication skills.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to broadening academic excellence by emphasising language skills that are dynamic and relevant to current needs.
“In the digital economy, language proficiency and communication skills are essential for individuals to interact, share expertise and compete internationally,” she said in a statement.
Yatimah said UMPSA’s strengths in technology, engineering and Advanced Technical and Vocational Education and Training provided a strategic platform to expand applied language studies by integrating communication skills with technical knowledge.
Faculty of Applied Language Studies dean Associate Professor Dr Zuraina Ali said the faculty would develop new programmes and collaborate with industry players.
She said this included offering a Master of Science in Technology-Integrated Language Learning through Open and Distance Learning.
UMPSA was established as Kolej Universiti Kejuruteraan dan Teknologi Malaysia on Feb 16, 2002, as the country’s 16th higher learning institution.