Strategies to Enhance Graduate Employability: Insights From Malaysian Public University Policy-Makers

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to identify the focus and strategies of Malaysian public universities to enhance graduates’ competency levels, as well as their key challenges. Methodology: The study used an exploratory approach, applying a qualitative method. Data were collected at eight selected public universities in Malaysia through face-to-face interviews with expert informants that included a deputy vice chancellor of academic affairs and directors in charge of graduate employability. Content analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings: The results revealed the practical roles of Malaysian public universities in enhancing graduates’ competency levels and subsequently securing their employability by meeting market demands. Nonetheless, stronger changes and reforms at the institutional level are needed to support the degree of competency among graduates, such as improving teaching methods and programmes offered. Furthermore, university–industry collaboration should also be strengthened to develop a competitive and capable talent pool in the country. Significance: The paper extends the core focus and strategies that have been implemented by public universities by providing more detailed and practical solutions to ensure that curriculum design more effectively supports the development of graduate competency. The study findings are useful for improving universities’ strategies and implementation processes to pursue a balanced quality of education in developing future talent.

University–industry collaboration in curriculum design and delivery: A model and its application in manufacturing engineering courses

“…In recent years, several examples of collaboration in curriculum design have been published in relation to different educational areas and with the same motivation—to align university education with new technological and social realities. Examples from throughout the world are available in the literature: in the field of design in Portugal (Camacho and Alexandre, 2019), in renewable energies in Latin America and Europe (Comodi et al, 2019), in the areas of tourism (Dopson and Tas, 2004) and the automotive industry (Mears et al, 2011; Tomovic, 2001) in the USA, in industrial engineering in Thailand (Koomsap et al, 2019), applied to the development of competences for Industry 4.0 in Estonia (Kusmin et al, 2018), concerning the oil and gas sector in Nigeria (Lagoke et al, 2020), in business informatics in Serbia (Matkovic et al, 2014), in banking and finance in Ethiopia (Tessema and Abejehu, 2017), in nursing in Australia (Theobald et al, 2021), and in several disciplines in the Philippines (Laguador and Ramos, 2014), Malaysia (Ma’dan et al, 2020) and Tanzania (Mgaiwa, 2021).…”

A bibliometric analysis of the graduate employability research trends

“…Although personal attributes are the main important factors influencing graduates' ability to find gainful employment after graduation [32], the increasing demands of the labor market have placed challenges in the higher education system toward structural and educational improvements [33]. The emphasis on graduate employability has largely been accepted as key driver for higher education institutions to incorporate a set of graduate attributes [34], [35], work-integrated learning [36]- [38], internships [15], [39], and curriculum designs [40]- [42] as ways to develop and maintain graduate success.…”

Big Data Analytics Knowledge and Skills: What You Need as a 21st Century Accounting Graduate

“…From the education perspective, the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia has recently taken progressive steps in responding to the challenges of IR4.0 particularly as set out in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education) and the Education 4.0 framework. In line with this development, Ma'dan et al (2020) emphasised the need for higher learning institutions to strategize and implement balanced quality of education in developing future talent. selection of content and teaching methods of higher vocational accounting courses.…”