Sanaa:Kelantan The government has announced it will cover half the cost of Master's and PhD studies for public servants through the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Qualification (APEL.Q) program.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz revealed that this initiative is part of new measures to help public servants improve their academic qualifications by considering their work experience. This opportunity is particularly beneficial for long-serving individuals seeking higher education.

The government-approved program is designed to assist public servants in furthering their education and is part of a range of government-sponsored initiatives, including the Federal Training Award (HLP). Wan Ahmad Dahlan emphasized that these programs aim to enhance the knowledge, skills, and competencies of public servants.

Wan Ahmad Dahlan also noted that lifelong learning is crucial for maintaining an effective, people-oriented public service. Recognizing the financial challenges faced by public servants, he highlighted the various funding schemes available to support their academic and professional development.

The APEL.Q program provides a cost-effective and expedited route to obtaining higher qualifications based on work experience. The government also offers other sponsorship opportunities, such as the HLP Self-Funded Partial Scholarship and the Implementation Group Sponsorship program.

Additionally, the Public Service Department provides short-term courses in emerging fields, like the Premier Leadership program and Competent Executive Development (Prospek) program, to further enhance public service delivery.

Wan Ahmad Dahlan urged public service officers to apply for these programs when available and encouraged department heads to support their staff in pursuing educational and competency enhancements while fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing within their organizations.