AMALAN PENAMBAHBAIKAN KOLEJ KOMUNITI MALAYSIA

IMPROVEMENT PRACTICES IN MALAYSIAN COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Abstract

Continuous institutional improvement is essential for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to remain responsive to rapidly changing industrial, technological, digital, and sustainability demands. However, institutional improvement should not be inferred solely from graduate employability or programme expansion, as uneven development may occur across governance, teaching, industry engagement, student support, and future-readiness dimensions. This study aimed to examine the level of improvement practices among Malaysian Community Colleges across seven dimensions of institutional improvement. A quantitative approach using a cross-sectional survey design was employed. The population comprised 507 lecturers from Community Colleges in the East Coast Zone of Malaysia, and proportionate stratified random sampling was used to ensure appropriate representation across the participating institutions. A total of 265 valid responses were analysed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire employing a five-point frequency-based Likert scale, covering seven dimensions of Community College improvement practices. Descriptive statistics, specifically mean and standard deviation, were used to analyse the overall construct, dimensions, and individual items. Mean scores were interpreted as low (1.00–2.33), moderate (2.34–3.67), and high (3.68–5.00). The findings revealed that the overall level of Community College improvement practices was high when mean score is 4.63 and standard deviation is 0.34, with all seven dimensions also recording high levels. Industry Collaboration, Employability and Career Services recorded the highest mean (M = 4.75, SD = 0.34), followed by Teaching, Assessment and Certification Practices (M = 4.69, SD = 0.39) and Inclusivity, Access, Flexible Pathways and Student Support (M = 4.68, SD = 0.39). In contrast, Digital Transformation, Green Skills and Future Readiness recorded the lowest relative mean (M = 4.47, SD = 0.52). At the item level, compulsory industrial training recorded the highest mean (M = 4.87), whereas the alignment of physical facilities with Industry 5.0 requirements recorded the lowest mean (M = 4.20, SD = 0.88). These findings indicate that a high overall level of institutional improvement does not necessarily reflect balanced development across all dimensions. Practically, the findings provide an empirical basis for Community College management and policymakers to adopt more targeted improvement strategies, particularly by strengthening digital transformation, green skills, and Industry 5.0-ready infrastructure while sustaining existing strengths in industry engagement and work-based learning.