Prabha SundramManager University Community Transformation Centre Office of Industry & Community PartnershipsUKM

Who is responsible forGraduate Employability?

A University’s Perspective

Definition of Graduate Employability GE

• Employability- A review of literature suggests thatemployability is about the work and the ability of beingmarketable in the industry. In other words, employability isabout being adept at getting and keeping a fulfilling job – TheNational Graduate Employability Blueprint 2012-2017

• Graduate employability measures the quality of teaching in terms of its effectiveness in preparing students for the workforce who meet the needs of the economy – Malaysia Education Blueprint (Higher Education) 2015-2025

• KPI & Operation Definition of GE at UKM: Percentage of graduates employed at the point of convocation. Employed graduates refer to graduates who have secured a job,

waiting for a job placement, self-employed, furthering their studies or undergoing training to enhance their skills.

How important is GE at UKM?The 1st of UKM’s 6 Key Result Areas

Major KRA #1

Graduan

Beraspirasi

Kebangsaan,

Kompeten,

Berdaya Saing

Dan Inovatif

Definisi Pernyataan Hasil Utama #1

Graduan UKM menghayati aspirasi kebangsaan, memiliki

nilai etika, berilmu pengetahuan, kompeten, berdaya

inovasi dan berdaya saing yang memenuhi keperluan

negara dan masyarakat sejagat.

KPI KRA #1

(a) Peratusan graduan yang mendapat pekerjaan/bekerja

(berdasarkan kelayakan) atau tawaran biasiswa dalam

masa enam bulan selepas menamatkan pengajian.

(b) Peratusan graduan UKM (mengikut kohort) menjadi

pemimpin/peneraju masyarakat dan organisasi

awam/swasta.

Current Scenario of GE

From 2006 to 2014, Malaysia achieved an increase in the graduate employability rate, which rose from 70% to 75% (see Exhibit B-5). This measure counts the number of graduates who are employed, self-employed, or in further education at the time of convocation, which is 3 to 6 months after they have completed their studies -

Malaysia Education Blueprint (Higher Education) 2015-2025

Current Concerns with GE• There is a mismatch in the supply and demand of

graduates, with employers reporting that graduates lack the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes. This mismatch is only expected to get tougher to resolve as technological disruptions reshape industries and alter the types of jobs available.

• In Malaysia, one potential indicator of under-employment is the starting salary of recent graduates. 45% earned below RM1,500 per month in 20132 which is below the targeted salary range for students with undergraduate degrees.

Sources: GE Blueprint and MEB(HE)

Budget 2015 tabled by our Prime Minister last year estimates that almost

53,000 graduates remain unemployed after six

months upon graduation

Malaysia Education Blueprint

(Higher Education) 2015-2025

Challenges in developing skilled workers

The most common problems faced by employers in hiring fresh graduates :

• Poor command of English• Poor character, attitude or

personality• Asking for unrealistic salary/benefits• Mismatch of skills• Choosy in job/company• Inability to solve problems• Skill knowledge not in-depth enough

Source: Jobstreet.com; as tabled in the MOE’s National Graduate Employability Blueprint 2012 – 2017

What is UKM doing about GE?

Vice Chancellor

DVC Research DVC AcademicDVC Student

Affairs

DVC Industry & Community Partnerships

Responsibility for GE at UKM cuts across all 4 top management portfolio’s and is the VC’s KPI as well. Dedicated supporting structures have been established: Industry Liaison Office to

strengthen industry partnerships, UKM Career Center to empower students with workplace competencies & provide work-exposure, UKM CESMED for entrepreneurship

training & development, CITRA UKM offering liberal education electives

Applied research for students to solve

real-world problems

Industrial Attachment, Curriculum review, Industry Advisory

Council

Student-led programs &

volunteerism for holistic development

Develop strategic partnerships & programs with industry/NGOs

University

Industry / NGOs

Graduates

Government

• Curriculum review for relevance & marketability

• Skills & Entrepreneurial Training • Expand Industry Linkages & Engagement

• Collaborative curriculum design with universities

• Feedback to universities on industry trends & skills requirements of graduates

• Enhance communication & soft skills

• Develop entrepreneurial skills

• Improve flexibility, attitude & adaptability

• Provide funding & support• Policy review & implementation –

Malaysia Education Blueprint (Higher Education) 2015-2025

GE is a CollectiveResponsibility of all Stakeholders

Thank you

“Preparing Malaysian youth to navigate this uncertain future not only requires imbuing them with

transferrable skills and sound ethical foundations, but also the resilience and enterprising spirit to forge new

opportunities for themselves and others. It is important to move from a world of job seekers to a world of job

creators.”

Malaysia Education Blueprint (Higher Education)

2015-2025

UKM shares the Nation’s 2025 Aspirations