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Universities to have more industry collaborations

KUALA LUMPUR: The Higher Education Ministry is committed to redesign the sector in efforts to improve graduate employability by expanding industry collaborations.

Its minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said there is a need to for universities to have more academia-industry collaborations to ensure that graduates' knowledge and skills remain relevant once they leave their respective universities.

"The collaboration effort is done to ensure universities understand the industry and vice-versa, as well as to boost research and innovation.

"This will also promote and familiarise universities with their respective industries," he said at the 18th Malaysia-Japan International Institute Technology Leadership Lecture Series by Toray Industries Inc Japan president Datuk Akihiro Nikkaku in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, today.

Citing Japan-based Toray Industries Inc as an example of best practices, Idris added that students could see first hand the Japanese way of management and research and development.

This, he said, was an opportunity for students and academicians to learn Toray Industries Inc's best practices.

"Such collaborations are good to enhance learning and teaching in universities. We don't want students to be just bookworms and only judge them based on their academic achievements.

"We must be able to inculcate other values such as entrepreneurial and communication skills, which are practical for the work life," he added.

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