JOHOR BARU: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) continues to produce high quality graduates who are the primary choice of employers in various industries.
The latest data released by the Higher Education Ministry through Graduate Tracer Study on May 20 demonstrates that UTM has not only successfully produced highly skilled graduates, but has also produced the highest number of working graduates with a premium income in the country.
According to the study, a majority of UTM graduates managed to get a job within six months after graduation. This is the result of initiatives taken by UTM to ensure the marketability of its graduates.
UTM always tries to adapt its curriculum to the latest developments in the industry.
Study programmes at UTM are designed to meet the needs of the increasingly complex and challenging job market, with focus on practical aspects and the use of the latest technology, allowing UTM graduates to adapt quickly in the real work environment.
To continue strengthening the momentum of graduate marketability, UTM has created a comprehensive ecosystem with the implementation of several specific initiatives.
The initiatives include the establishment of a special team called UTM Graduate Employability (UTM GE), which comprises representatives from each faculty as well as related centres. This team plays an important role as the main driving force in empowering employability in each faculty.
In line with UTM's tagline "Innovating Solutions", student career development is focused on the application of high competency values, specific skills and technical skills for the career market.
Ethical values, manners and identity are also highlighted to develop human capital that is able to adapt and is resilient to the challenges of the working world.
A good attitude can form a positive personality, make it easier for students to receive knowledge and guidance, and improve the relationship between individuals and communities.
This opens up wider opportunities for academic excellence in various fields at the global level, in addition to being able to bring a positive image of the institution and the country.
This initiative is the proof of UTM's commitment to realising the five aspirations set out by the Malaysia Education (Higher Education) Blueprint 2021 - 2025. One of the aspirations is "quality", which explicitly targets more than 80 per cent employability rate by 2025.
CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH INDUSTRY
To ensure that the production of graduates is in line with the needs of the career market, strategic relationships with industry and alumni are given emphasis by UTM.
Through this collaboration, industrial training programmes, apprenticeships and collaborative projects provide opportunities for students to gain work experience, allowing them to understand the needs and expectations of employers better and help improve the marketability of graduates.
In 2022, UTM introduced a voluntary internship programme which is industrial training offered to give work experience to students as early as their second year of study.
Students are also given the opportunity to undergo industrial training abroad to produce global quality students.
"The university is confident that the experience of undergoing industrial training and collaboration projects is a learning process through work experience. Students are given early exposure to the world of work to help them be better prepared to face real work challenges," said UTM Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Fauzi Ismail.
CAREER CENTRE INITIATIVE
In promoting marketability, the UTM Career Centre (UTMCC) provides students with skills guidance and career profiling in addition to offering skills improvement courses along with professional certificates and job placement.
This year, UTM, through UTMCC, received RM1.36 million in funding from the Higher Education Ministry to implement a Train and Place programme for students.
Comprehensive career preparation guidance is also implemented through Talent Competency Management, which is a compulsory course for final-year students to improve their skills before entering the job market.
CENTRE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVE
Another initiative that has had a big impact on the marketability of UTM graduates is the Student Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre, which provides entrepreneurship education, access to financing, mentor guidance and networking opportunities aimed at producing a generation of young entrepreneurs who have the potential to drive the digital and technology economy.
For example, the UTM-MTDC Signature Programme has benefited 13 student start-ups, with a total funding of RM85,750.
Through these initiatives, UTM ensures that its graduates are always at the forefront of the career market.
This success not only reflects UTM's commitment to providing quality education, but also in ensuring that graduates can achieve success in their respective careers and further drive the nation's progress.