21/04/2026

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TUESDAY | APR 21, 2026

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Malaysian Paper

/thesundaily /

COMMENT by Eminder Kaur Kawan Singh

W HEN people talk about lifelong learning or professional development, they often mention online courses, short-term training or digital skills. But there is a greater shift happening quietly. It focuses less on traditional certificates and more on what people have actually learned through real work. This change is led by a programme called Apel Q. It stands for Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Qualifications. Run by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Apel Q gives working adults a chance to convert their job experience into formal academic degrees. It is not only about getting a certificate; it is about giving people fair access to higher education based on what they already know and have done. Many Malaysians, especially from older generations or rural communities, started their careers with just a high school diploma or a basic certificate. Over the years, they gained a deeper knowledge, solved problems, managed teams and made real contributions to their fields. But many of them still hit limits in their careers because they do not have a degree. Apel Q helps to fix that problem. Since Apel was introduced in 2010, over 50,000 Malaysians have used it to continue their education. Apel Q is the most advanced level in the system. It is designed for those with long-term, relevant work experience. Instead of taking classes from the beginning, they go through a detailed process. This includes building a portfolio that proves what they know and attending interviews with assessors. Open University Malaysia (OUM) is one of the main institutions that supports this path. It gives adults a chance to earn degrees in areas like education, business or technology without starting from scratch. The impact of Apel Q is clear. First, it makes education more accessible. People from many backgrounds, including civil servants, small business owners, freelancers and even stay- at-home parents, can get formal recognition for what they have learned. This opens new doors for career growth and reduces the pressure to follow the traditional academic route,

Earning a degree by accrediting experience

which often leaves out adult learners. Second, it supports personal and national development. A government employee without a degree can now qualify for promotion. A private sector worker can move forward without quitting their job for full-time study. In both cases, it helps people advance while staying active in the workforce. That leads to stronger morale and better performance. Third, it saves time and money. Instead of paying for years of study, experienced workers can prove their knowledge through focused assessments. The government has noticed this advantage. In the 2025 national budget, it offered subsidies of up to RM15,000 for long-serving public officers to go through the Apel Q process. This is a smart approach to invest in the workforce without overspending. Malaysia is not alone in this approach. Australia has something similar called Recognition of Prior Learning, which gives academic credit for workplace experience. The United Kingdom also uses Apel, especially in nursing, teaching and social work. Singapore’s SkillsFuture programme allows people to collect certificates from short courses and combine them into full qualifications. These international examples show that Malaysia is on the right path. Institutions like OUM, with flexible class options and support for adult learners, help make Apel Q more practical. They show that academic learning and real-world experience are not separate – they both matter and count. Still, there are challenges. The assessment process must be strong and fair to keep the value of the degrees. Employers in the public and private sectors need to officially accept Apel Q qualifications when hiring or promoting staff. And public thinking needs to

“In today’s world, what matters most is what you can do and what you know, not just where you studied. Apel Q reflects that idea. It turns lifelong learning into real opportunity.

People from many backgrounds, including civil servants, small business owners, freelancers and even stay-at-home parents, can get formal recognition. – SUNPIC

change. Many still believe that only a full-time university degree is meaningful. That old view needs to shift. Apel Q is about fairness, dignity and respect. It says that someone who has run a small business from home for 15 years or a technician who has worked in rural towns fixing problems, deserves formal recognition, not just thanks but a degree that proves their knowledge. People often talk about modernising the workforce. But what could be more modern than recognising that learning happens in many places? In a kitchen, in an office, in a kampung or in a hospital. Wherever people solve problems, teach others or build solutions, learning is taking place. In today’s world, what matters most is what you can do and what you know, not just where you studied. Apel Q reflects that idea. It turns lifelong learning into real opportunity. It gives more people a fair chance to grow. And it helps build a

stronger, more skilled nation. To keep moving forward, Malaysia needs strong support from universities, clear policies and public awareness. If all parts of the system work together, Apel Q could become one of the country’s most important education reforms. It is not a shortcut; it is a better route. It is not just for a few; it should become the standard. Apel Q connects experience with opportunity. It opens doors for civil servants, community leaders and anyone who has gained knowledge through life, not just textbooks. It sends a powerful message: your experience matters and it deserves recognition. Eminder Kaur Kawan Singh is a senior training consultant at the Centre for Public Policy, Project Management and Governance Studies, National Institute of Public Administration. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

Education retains its importance in the Malaysian landscape for parents, students and stakeholders. The changes are fast paced with new developments in new fields of study such as cybersecurity, data protection, augmented and virtual reality, machine learning in education, digital education and artificial Intelligence. Leading the way are universities, who are invited to showcase their latest programmes, curriculum and content in our Education Focus for 2026.

thesun.my

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