He said this is essential to ensure the country does not fall behind in the pace of development, particularly in high-technology fields.

As an example, he said universities take a long time to approve new programmes and could not keep pace with technological advancement.

“A delay of up to two years to introduce new disciplines can cause the country to lag behind, especially in information technology and digital fields that are evolving rapidly,” he said when speaking at the launch of a new vocational college here.

The college, to be built under a federal allocation of RM100 million, is expected to be completed in 2030 and can accommodate 360 students with courses aimed at the oil and gas industry, such as welding technology, hybrid and electric vehicle technology, and cybersecurity systems.

Anwar said institutions offering technical and vocational education and training must also be strengthened with new fields and disciplines in line with evolving industry needs.

“So far, there have been encouraging achievements with experts far more capable than what we needed previously. The country must be driven with renewed dynamism and cannot afford to fall behind. TVET must be elevated to the highest level,” he said.

The younger generation must master these new skills and fields, thereby reducing the country’s reliance on foreign labour in critical sectors.