By Zaki Salleh
IPOH: The e-Rubric, a digital rubric-based assessment system developed by researchers from Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO), has achieved national recognition after winning a Gold Medal and securing third place in the Service Delivery Innovation category at the 2026 National Horizon Baharu Kumpulan Inovatif & Kreatif (HBKIK) Convention.
The HBKIK Convention is an annual platform organised by the Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education to recognise innovative projects that enhance the quality of service delivery while fostering a culture of innovation among polytechnic and community college staff nationwide.
The PUO team comprised Hashamuddin Yaakob, Nor Husna Shafini Nor Bashah, Siti Aishah Ali, Haszlina Hashim, Noor Rahayu Mohd Salleh, and Thilagavathy Apadore.
The innovation transforms conventional paper-based assessment into an online platform, making academic evaluation more consistent, transparent, and efficient in line with the digitalisation agenda of TVET institutions.
The digital system has earned several national accolades, including the Gold Medal, by successfully addressing key challenges in technical assessment.
Meanwhile, PUO Director Dr Hajah Salmi Che Meh said the achievement demonstrates the institution’s ability to produce high-impact innovations that benefit organisations and the national education system.
“This success proves that our staff excel not only in academia but also in developing meaningful innovations.
Innovations such as e-Rubric not only improve service delivery efficiency but also reflect our lecturers’ capability to create digital solutions that meet current needs.
“I hope this achievement will inspire more high-impact innovations to further strengthen the excellence of the nation’s TVET sector,” she said.
