Selangor: The leadership of all Polytechnic and Community College (POLYCC) institutions has been urged to take a proactive approach in establishing and nurturing an artificial intelligence (AI) culture on campus. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir emphasized that fostering this culture involves more than just using AI applications, but also integrating technology to enhance efficiency, speed, and effectiveness in operations.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Zambry highlighted that institutional leadership should spearhead this transformation by providing opportunities for staff and students to adapt to evolving technologies such as Agentic AI. He remarked that this initiative aligns with the POLYCC agenda of maintaining relevance as Professional and Technical Education (PTE) institutions in the face of current technological advancements.
Dr Zambry outlined his vision for these institutions not just as users of technology but as entities capable of exploring, adapting, and leveraging technology to fortify learning and prepare graduates for future work environments. His speech was delivered by Polytechnic and Community College Education Department (JPPKK) director-general Dr Shamsuri Abdullah at the launch of the POLYCC Agentic AI League 2026 and the POLYCC AI Buddy platform at the Selangor International Trade Centre (STIC).
The minister further stated that the success of the AI agenda would be measured by the improvement in learning quality and the employability of local graduates. He encouraged Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to not only keep pace with technological advancements but to also lead these changes confidently.
Dr Zambry expressed trust in POLYCC's ability to produce a generation ready to shape its own future, hoping that AI integration programs would evolve beyond events into a lasting culture. Complementing this, Dr Shamsuri discussed the recent gamification-based competition that showcased Agentic AI, a new AI generation capable of autonomous decision-making and task execution in real-world scenarios.
He noted that the initiative serves as a platform to develop and strengthen AI talent within the POLYCC community, aligning with the future digital workforce's needs. This effort supports the goal of producing TVET talent that is adaptive, innovative, and prepared for technological and digital demands.
The competition saw Politeknik Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin (PTSS) in Arau, Perlis crowned as the champion, with Politeknik Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin (PSMZA) in Dungun, Terengganu and Politeknik Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah (POLIMAS) in Jitra, Kedah securing second and third places, respectively. The event, which gathered 3,118 POLYCC students and lecturers nationwide, was recognized by the Malaysia Book of Records for The Largest Participation in an Agentic AI Competition.