Lifelong Learning Generates Knowledgeable Society

Lifelong learning generates knowledgeable society. It allows people to continue learning and improving their skills even after finishing formal education. This helps individuals stay competitive in their careers and adapt to changing job markets. Universities are embracing lifelong learning by offering various certificate and degree programs through both traditional and online methods to meet the needs of working professionals and communities. For example, Universiti Sains Malaysia collaborates with private sectors to provide courses that teach new skills up to bachelor's degree level. Lifelong learning ensures knowledge and opportunities for self-improvement are widely accessible to all.

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Lifelong Learning Generates Knowledgeable Society

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Lifelong Learning Generates Knowledgeable Society

B. N. Lee

Abstract

This paper discusses Actually, there is no expiration date for being a student. If you
are unable to continue your studies after completing the Malaysian Certificate of
Education (SPM), the opportunity to continue your studies is still there because
learning is a lifelong process. This concept of lifelong learning needs to be embraced
by the whole community in making Malaysia a developed and developing country in
the future. It is also able to make young people more competitive and highly
competitive in careers including facing the challenges of the gig economy, which is
the short-term contract labor market or freelance work done by individuals driven by
digital technology as is popular now. Lifelong learning opportunities are actually wide
open for everyone to add knowledge to their chest. There are various fields of study
that can be learned, in addition to new skills.

Keywords: Lifelong learning, Various fields of study, Adding knowledge

Introduction
Currently, when all IPTs strive to remain relevant, various methods of offering
studies are carried out by public and private universities. This was also enlivened by
other parties who also offered various courses for interested members of the public
to participate in. Not to mention the open sky concept and current technological
advancements that allow knowledge to be mastered at the fingertips and not
confined to classrooms or lectures.

In addition, there are also public universities, among them Universiti Sains Malaysia
(USM) that collaborate with the private sector to offer courses that add new skills
(microcredential) up to the bachelor's degree level specifically to meet the needs of
the parties concerned. Among them are studies in the field of organizational
management and minor specialization in food technology to be followed by the
company's employees not only in the country, but also in regional countries.

This is one of the examples of how IPT utilizes its expertise to improve knowledge in
the community in a creative and innovative way. Some also collaborate with
international bodies to offer coastal studies.

More Flexible Learning Methods

In addition, short-term studies at the certificate and diploma level are also widely
offered by various HEIs by providing local learning materials in accordance with
market needs. The learning method is also made more flexible, in addition to face-
to-face there are also online classes. In fact, study offers are also designed
specifically for specific target groups according to set requirements. This all allows
the expertise available at the university to be shared more widely with the
community

All this actually helps the community, especially the young people to increase their
knowledge. New skills and knowledge can add value to individuals, thus being able
to compete in the job market. This is important, especially for those who may drop
out after sitting the main mainstream exams. Dropping out due to poor performance
or any other reason should not be a reason not to increase knowledge. In fact,
lifelong learning is no longer exclusive, but now inclusive. It can be accessed by
anyone, anywhere and anytime. Learning opportunities are always wide open to all
(Mohamad, 2022).

Schools and institutes of higher education (IPTs) had to change the method of
education to be completely online due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the
implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO). Positively, online education is
able to produce individuals with lifelong learning skills (Life Long Learning). It is one
of the main skills in the 21st Century Skills that must be mastered to succeed in this
challenging century. These skills require a person to determine what needs to be
learned, find information or materials to learn, have self-learning skills and be
motivated.

It also allows him to reflect on his learning by doing self-assessment or other means.
In the context of education, constructivist learning theory is well suited to explain
this lifelong learning. According to this theory, knowledge is built by students on
existing knowledge through certain learning experiences. Ownership of learning is in
the student who has the role of determining what to learn and how. Thus, when
students decide what they want to learn, motivation comes intrinsically from the
individual involved.

The implementation of online learning requires students to develop lifelong learning

skills. Students can no longer use the first set of thinking, i.e. waiting for the teacher
or lecturer to speak or give a lecture, before starting to learn. Students need to
determine what must be studied, find the material placed by the teacher or lecturer
on the virtual learning platform, then organize their own time to research and
complete it. Students need to learn to organize time and priorities, which material
needs to be studied and completed first. In the context of school, parents need to
play a role in educating their children to acquire these skills by showing examples of
the arrangement of the timetable in accordance with certain subjects, then giving
the option to the child to modify the timetable involved.

Parents initially need to guide their children to organize assignments to be completed

and send to the teacher virtually. Teachers need to give feedback to students' work
so that they continue to be motivated to complete the next assignment. Students
should also be given the opportunity to communicate with classmates to discuss
assignments and learning. Over time, students can be more independent to continue
this online learning. For university students, this is the time to hone lifelong learning
skills to prepare for the world of work. Students need to organize their own learning
schedule, find learning materials other than those given by the lecturer. Similarly,
students need to arrange group assignment discussion time, determine the closing
date for their respective work breakdowns so that they can be completed before the
closing date of the assignment.

They also have to make various decisions requiring problem solving skills such as
unstable or weak internet issues and task group members not having internet access
or computers and problematic speakers. Students can no longer rely solely on
lecturers as a source of knowledge, but instead need to open their minds to examine
other learning materials online. The search for authentic and correct learning
materials is also among lifelong learning skills that need to be built such as notes or
electronic books from leading universities, videos and open learning platforms such
as free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC).

It is certainly not easy to build these lifelong learning skills. However, COVID-19 and
the MCO provide an opportunity to hone skills that are very important to remain
independent in this century. If we want to acquire life-long learning skills and other
21st century skills such as problem-solving and decision-making skills, working in a
team, managing emotions, information technology and computer literacy, efforts to
learn need to be invested (Fatin 2021).

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the Center for Distance Education Studies
(PPPJJ) is one of the study centers that accepts students from APEL graduates.
PPPJJ offers four undergraduate programs namely Bachelor of Management
(Honours) majoring in Finance, Marketing, Strategy and Organizational
Management), Bachelor of Science (Honours) (majoring in Biology and Mathematics),
Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) (majoring in Science Politics and Anthropology-
Sociology) and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (major in History and Literature). RPJJ is a
flexible academic program so that it is suitable for those who are working to further
their studies.

Thus, students are provided with self-learning modules provided by trained lecturers.
As a pioneer in the lifelong learning agenda in Malaysia, RPJJ has made a significant
contribution in transforming society's economy and society. To date, a total of
20,881 people have become RPJJ USM alumni. They consist of workers who are
looking for opportunities to pursue higher education up to degree level to improve
their knowledge, abilities and qualifications to achieve better career progress in the
government or private sector ( Mohd Rashid, 2022) .

Conclusion
Through an accredited Distance Learning Program (RPJJ) and a curriculum that is
relevant to the job market, every student will get the best and guaranteed learning
experience. Graduates from RPJJ at USM and other universities will provide a positive
shift to employers through increased knowledge and skills that will be translated into
more productive work and higher competence.

Reference
1) Mohamad Abdullah. (2022). Lifelong Learning Program Generate Knowledgeable
Society. Penang: University of Science Malaysia.
2) Fatin Aliah Phang. (2021). The Best Time to Sharpen Lifelong Learning Skills.
Skudai: Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
(UTM).
3) Mohd Rashid Abdul Rejab. (2022). Life-long learning. Penang: Center for Distance
Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia