Correlating Graduate Marketability Dimensions with the Measurements of University-Student Relationship

Abstract

Organization has always placed emphasis on the publics who would determine its life span. In the context of higher education institution, graduates are the main public whereby their marketability is the key measurement of a university’s effort in the human resources development. Hon & Grunig (1999) identify two types of organizational relationship from public perspectives. The communal relationship is said to focus more on the surrounding and balance effect whilst exchange relationship is more inclined towards organizational self interest from the viewpoint of the public. From a different perspective on these two types of relationship, what exactly is the correlation between the student’s soft skills as claimed to be the determinant of their future employability after graduation? This problem has definitely tapped the interest of researchers to conduct an empirical study in order to examine the views of a university’s final-year undergraduates regarding the relationship of university-student and relate it to the seven dimensions of soft skills, namely communication skills, critical and problem solving skills, teamwork skills, continuous learning and information management skills, entrepreneurship skills, professional moral and ethics as well as leadership skills. Perceptions from 115 students were studied through face-to-face survey method. Communal relationship was proven relationally positive with communication skills, critical and problem solving skills, teamwork skills, continuous learning and information management skills, and entrepreneurship skills while exchange relationship was inversely related with professional moral and ethics

Pengaruh Kualiti Perkhidmatan Institusi, Kepuasan Latihan Industri dan Pembelajaran Terarah Kendiri Terhadap Kebolehgajian Pelajar Kolej Vokasional di Sabah

“…Justeru, pelajar ataupun graduan KV dituntut untuk memiliki kebolehgajian yang tinggi. Tambahan pula, kebolehgajian juga merupakan pengukur usaha sesebuah institusi pendidikan khususnya pendidikan tinggi dalam pembangunan sumber manusia, dan juga petunjuk kepada keberkesanan program latihan yang diberikan oleh institusi tersebut (Kee et al, 2012). Program latihan dikatakan berkesan sekiranya graduan yang dihasilkan berupaya memenuhi keperluan dan kehendak pasaran buruh yang sentiasa berubah rentetan arus globalisasi dan percambahan teknologi yang semakin rancak.…”

Communication Skills and its Impact on the Marketability of UKM Graduates

“…A good higher learning organization is perceived by the public to produce graduates as to increase manpower value for the work market (Kee et al 2012). In this context, graduates are seen as a human capital as well as the key measurement of a university's effort in human resources development (Kee et al 2012).…”

“…In this context, graduates are seen as a human capital as well as the key measurement of a university's effort in human resources development (Kee et al 2012). However, getting a degree is not a gold ticket to get a job, thus the graduates must be well-equipped and challenge themselves in order to keep remain in the competition.…”

“…In order to remain relevant to the ever-changing, ever-competing global market, many governments invest heavily in planning out careful strategies in the education sectors to generate value-added capabilities to the present and future human capital. Hence, the education sector is considered to play an important role in the process of national development and nation building (Kee et al, 2012). In the context of higher learning institutions, they need to make sure that the human capital they generate are able to function exceptionally well in society.…”

Higher education seen from inside: The case of Electrical Engineering students

“…Universities aim to transfer fundamental along with applied knowledge and prepare their students at a more general level that will give them access to a larger variety of jobs. Companies want well-prepared new employees that possess a high level of specific applied knowledge [3][4][5]. Students hope to get the most out of their studies, while using a reasonable amount of effort [6].…”