FOR Marufah Jailan, 22, the knowledge and experience she gleaned from the Diploma in Fashion Design and Clothing programme, which she recently completed, will be the basis of her strength to compete at the global level.
The Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan graduate is gearing up to represent the country in the Fashion Technology category at the WorldSkills competition, which will be held in Abu Dhabi from Oct 14 to 19.
Held every two years, the competition is touted to be the biggest vocational education and skills excellence event in the world, where competitors represent the best of their peers and are selected from skill competitions in WorldSkills Member countries and regions.
Marufah was the winner in the category at the Asean Skills Competition 2016 held in Serdang, Selangor, which qualified her to compete in WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017.
To clinch the top spot, she will be competing against nine participants from the United Arab Emirates, Macau, Japan, Belgium, Barbados, China, France, Zambia and Norway.
“I am happy but nervous to represent the country at an international event. The previous competition (Asean Skills) was held in Malaysia, but this time around, I will have to be among the international participants in a foreign country.
“For that, I have to prepare myself mentally and physically and boost my level of confidence to converse in English so that I can communicate with other participants,” she said.
“I look forward to the competition and, of course, to make the country and my alma mater proud,” said the Klang-born Marufah, at the “Community Engagement” luncheon cum meet-and-greet session at the Higher Education Ministry in Putrajaya recently.
The event was graced by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching, Higher Education director-general Datin Paduka Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir and Polytechnic Education Department director-general Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Ismail Abd Aziz.
The 44th WorldSkills Competition, which will see youth from 77 member countries and regions competing for top honours, will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.
Participants demonstrate technical abilities both individually and collectively to execute specific tasks for which they study and/or perform in their workplace.
In the area of Fashion Technology, the technical skills involved include design, pattern construction, cutting and garment manufacture.
One of the main legacies of the WorldSkills Competitions is to give visibility and importance to professional education, as one of the true tools of socioeconomic transformation.
The competition also provides leaders in the industry, government, and education with the opportunity to exchange information and best practices regarding industry and professional education.
New ideas and processes inspire school-aged youth to dedicate themselves to technical and technological careers and towards to a better future.