Asia
1. Outline of the ProjectCountry:

Project title:

Malaysia

Japan-Malaysia Technical Institute (JMTI)Issue/Sector:

Cooperation scheme:

Education/Vocational Training

Project-type Technical Cooperation

Division in charge:

Total cost:

First Technical Cooperation Division,
Social Development Cooperation Department

1,230 Million Yen

Period ofCooperation

Partner Country's Implementing Organization:

15 January 1998 - 14 January
2003

Manpower Development Minister of Human Resources (HRS)

Supporting Organization in Japan:
Human Resources Development Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labourand Welfare

Related Cooperation:
Project Type Technical Cooperation; "CIAST"
Dispatch of Expert; "Development of Vocational Training"

1-1 Background of the Project
During the term of the Second Long-term Comprehensive Plan implemented (1991 - 2000) by the Malaysian government, theproduction of the manufacturing industry in 2000 was estimated to have increased to 37% of the gross domestic product,accounting for approximately 81% of the overall exports. Against the background of this industry-led economic growth, the Sixth
Malaysia Plan (1991 - 1995) placed its emphasis on human resources development, to meet the needs of the labor market andto expand the chances for educational training. The Seventh Malaysia Plan (1996 - 2000) emphasizes promotion of technicaleducation and human resource development in high-tech areas in response to the change in the growth path from investmentled economic growth to productivity-led economic growth. Under these circumstances, as it recognized the urgency ofdeveloping skilled workers and catching up with advancing technologies in the increasingly sophisticated industrial world, theMalaysian government laid out a plan to establish a vocational training center (the Japan-Malaysia Technical Institute: IMTI) todevelop highly skilled engineers equipped with a knowledge of advanced technologies, and requested Japan to provide a
project-type technical cooperation.

1-2 Project Overview
To foster highly-skilled industrial technologists in the fields of advanced technology which support industry-oriented economic
growth in Malaysia, the project aims to develop training curriculam in the fields of manufacturing, electronics, computer, ormechatronics, and to establish systems to recruit and select students, to equip with machinery, and to develop a management
system within the Japan-Malaysia Technical Institute (JMTI).
(1) Overall Goal
To satisfy the industrial needs for industrial technologists in the field of advanced technology.
(2) Project Purpose
To foster highly skilled industrial technologist (L4* or equivalent) in the fields of advanced technology in manufacturing,electronics, computer and mechatronics at the Japan-Malaysia Technical Institute (JMTI).
* A level of instructors. There are seven levels, from L1 to L7.

(3) Outputs
1) Systematic vocational training is planned at JMTI.
2) Measures to enroll qualified trainees are established.
3) Necessary numbers of qualified instructors in the above fields are trained for JMTI.
4) Necessary training courses in the above fields are defined, prepared and conducted.
5) Adequate facilities, machinery and equipment for training are prepared and made operational.
6) JMTI is well managed in terms of organization, personnel and finance.
(4) Input
Japanese side:
Long-term Experts

7

Equipment

559 million yen

Short-term Experts

24

Trainees received

66

Malaysian Side:Counterparts

158

Facilities and Equipment
Local Cost

RM 108 million

2. Evaluation Team
Members ofEvaluation Team

Team Leader: Kayoko MIZUTA, Special Technical Advisor, JICA
Training Administration: Yasuhiro HARUYAMA, Deputy Director, Overseas Cooperation Division,
Human Resources Development Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Training Method : Mitsunori FURUTA, Advisor, International cooperation Division, Employment andHuman Resources Development Organization of Japan
Cooperation Planning: Junichiro IKEDA, First Technical Cooperation Division, Social Development
Cooperation Department, JICA
Project Analysis: Hiroshi WATANABE, Consultant

Period of Evaluation 21 July 2002 - 3 August 2002

Type of Evaluation:
Terminal Evaluation

3. Results of Evaluation
3-1 Summary of Evaluation Results(1) RelevanceThe project purpose, "to foster highly skilled industrial technologist," matched with the policies such as the Seventh Malaysia
Plan (1996 - 2000) and the Eighth Malaysia Plan (2001 - 2005) that focused on the vocational training in the field of advanced
technology. It also matched the country assistance program of the government of Japan, "to support the upgrading andexpanding of higher education institutes and high-level vocational training in both quality and quantity." Thus, the project
purpose was relevant.
(2) EffectivenessAt the terminal evaluation, a total of 103 graduates of JMTI was approved to be L4, high-level technologists (40 graduates fromthe Computer Engineering Technology Department, 10 graduates from the Manufacturing Engineering Technology Department,
10 graduates from the Mechatronics Engineering Technology Department, and 43 graduates from the Electronics Engineering
Technology Department). Fifty-one (51) graduates were employed by various industries, and 10 graduates proceeded to thenext stage of education. The skills were well transferred to JMTI instructors (the counterparts). As the recruitment and selection

of students were properly implemented, the number of new students in 2002 was more than expected. Judging from suchinformation, the project was effective. However, the Malaysian side failed to procure and allocate training equipment as planned
for the Electronics Engineering Technology Department, the Mechatronics Engineering Technology Department and theManufacturing Engineering Technology Department, and therefore, the technical transfer in the initial plan was delayed.
(3) Efficiency
Inputs from the Malaysian side were delayed at the initial stage of the project, which was an obstacle against a smooth technicaltransfer to the counterparts from the Japanese experts. For example, installation of the new facilities at JMTI was delayed by six
to ten months, and as of six months prior to the termination of the project, only 90.2% of the scheduled equipment was provided.
It was also observed that the replacements or the shortage of counterparts adversely affected the efficiency. However, great
efforts were made by both sides to overcome the delay of technical transfer, such as implementing training courses bypurchasing and using the minimum amount of equipment.
(4) Impact
In order to accomplish the overall goal ("to satisfy the industrial needs for industrial technologists in the field of high-leveltechnology"), JMTI implemented seminars on information technology to local people and transferred skills to other vocational
training schools, as well as produced highly skilled technologists. The graduates of JMTI were recognized as having anequivalent of L4-level skills by the National Vocational Training Council, and were recognized to be highly skilled technologists
by governmental organizations. This affected the employment of the graduates in a positive manner. JMTI was sensitive to thegender issue, and as a result, the ratio of women among JMTI students was higher compared than the ratio in other vocational
training schools.
(5) Sustainability
In the Eighth Malaysia Plan, the Malaysian government has secured a managing budget for JMTI. Therefore, the project has thefinancial support of the government for the time being. JMTI has periodically gathered information on the needs of the industry
and information on new technology through the Technical Advisory Committee, which consisted of experts in the industrial andacademic fields.

3-2 Factors that Promoted the Realization of Effects(1) Factors Concerning the Planning
N/A.
(2) Factors concerning the Implementation Process
Compared to other vocational training schools in Malaysia, JMTI had more instructors, and the budget was fully assured, which
promoted the realization of the project effects.

3-3 Factors that Impeded the Realization of Effects(1) Factors Concerning the Planning
N/A.
(2) Factors concerning the Implementation Process
The construction of facilities, and the procurement of equipment by the Malaysian side were delayed, and the counterparts werereplaced, which impeded the technical transfer from the Japanese side. To cope with the situation, the project transferredtechniques by using the facilities of other training schools near project sites, purchased minimum equipment locally, andshortened the technical transfer period.

3-4 Conclusion
The project met the policies of both the Japanese and the Malaysian sides and, at the terminal evaluation, as it was expressedin the project purpose, the graduates of JMTI in every field were recognized as having the equivalent level of L4, becoming highlevel technologists. Although the training plans were changed, necessary equipment for training was mostly procured, and thetechniques are expected to be transferred during the rest of the project period. In particular, in the field of communicationengineering, in order to achieve the overall goal, JMTI conducted seminars, third-country training and technical transfer to othervocational training schools. However, because the input of the equipment and the construction of the facilities were delayed andthe counterparts were replaced, the Malaysian side requested additional technical transfer, including new techniques that will
help in coping with the future technical innovation.

3-5 Recommendations(1) Recommendation by the End of the Project1) The installation of training equipment was 90.2% at the time of terminal evaluation. The Malaysian side should complete theinstallation of the training equipment as soon as possible.
2) Both the Japanese and the Malaysian sides should speed up the technical transfer of on-going activities.
3) The Malaysian side should not replace the counterparts.
(2) After the Termination of the Project1) Economic Planning Unit, the Manpower Department Ministry of Human Resources and the Public Service Department shouldprovide continuous support to JMTI.
2) JITI should pay closer attention to the new techniques.
3) In response to the industrial needs, cooperation in the field of several new subjects is recommended to complement theresults of the technical transfer.
4) The Malaysian side should replace the key counterparts according to plan.
5) Ministry of Human Resources the Public Service Department should pay attention to the further study for instructors at JMTI.

3-6 Lessons Learned(1) Technical Advisory Committee of the project was established, and experienced members provided information on thedemands of the industry and on new techniques. It is useful to set up such a committee from the beginning of the project.
(2) In the project, because the Malaysian side failed to construct facilities and to input equipment on time, the technical transferfrom the Japanese side was delayed. It is necessary to consider the input plan thoroughly and monitor it for a smooth facilities
construction and equipment installment.

3-7 Follow-up Situation
Based on the above recommendations, a one-year follow-up cooperation has been implemented to last until January 2004, withthe aims of coping with the development of technical innovation in the industry, fostering a competitive labor force, andincreasing the possibilities of employment in the fields of manufacturing engineering technology, electronics engineering
technology, and mechatronics engineering technology.