“The Future Envisions Graduates Transitioning Into Job Creators Rather Than Merely Job Seekers”

Prof. Dr. Mohd Shukri Ab. Yajid, President, Management and Science University (MSU), Malaysia & Management and Science Institute (MSI) Sri Lanka

Management and Science University (MSU) is a Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), global multi-ranked institution focused on building holistic human capital. Envisioning a better, more sustainable future for all, MSU champions equality by providing a level playing field across extensive efforts in transforming lives, enriching future. It is also accredited by the Sri Lanka’s University Grant Commission (UGC).

The institution is driven by a vision of a more sustainable, equitable future for all, exemplifying its dedication to fairness through extensive initiatives aimed at transforming lives and enriching the prospects of future generations.

Since its establishment in 1981, MSU has steadfastly remained dedicated to producing graduates who are well-rounded who excel both academically and professionally. This commitment goes beyond traditional education, encompassing facets such as teaching, research, innovative curriculum development, stringent quality standards, leadership, social entrepreneurship, effective management, and active community engagement to uplift and empower society.

Professor Dr. Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid is the President and Founder of the Management and Science University (MSU), Management & Science Institute (MSI) Colombo and MSU College Group of Colleges. He is a dedicated advocate for excellence in education and has set new standards for quality in private education in Malaysia and the region. Under his leadership, MSU has achieved numerous accolades, including awards for The Most Entrepreneurial Private University in Malaysia and SETARA Tier-5 Excellent Status for Emerging University status. The university has also received a QS 5-Stars Overall on the metrics of Teaching, Graduate Employability, Academic Development, Internationalization, Hospitality and Leisure Management, Online Learning, Social Responsibility, and Inclusiveness.

Professor Shukri has a strong dedication to the academic community and makes contributions in the areas of leadership, social entrepreneurship, curriculum development, teaching, as well as research. Through a number of committees, he has played key roles in supporting the education industry towards improving local and regional educational standards.

His dedication extends to community engagement initiatives, including projects with indigenous people, orphans, environmental conservation, wellness programmes, and aiding the urban poor. These efforts contribute to the development of soft skills in MSU’s future graduates.

Internationally, Prof. Shukri has been recognized for his efforts in raising MSU’s global profile, including accreditation by the United Kingdom’s Accreditation Services for International Schools, Colleges & Universities (ASIC), the Japan’s Alliance on Business Education and Scholarship for Tomorrow (ABEST21), as well as the Netherland’s Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial & Engaged Universities (ACEEU). He has received recognitions and awards from various universities and organizations worldwide, reflecting his commitment in promoting education and student mobility.

As a philanthropist, Professor Shukri has established the MSU Foundation (Yayasan MSU) to support international exposure and community engagement projects, offering scholarships and continuing education opportunities. He has also founded the Leadership & Entrepreneurship Advancement Institute (LEAD) to nurture young entrepreneurs and develop a culture of entrepreneurship and leadership.

Professor Shukri’s dedication to providing students with relevant exposure and entrepreneurship skills has elevated MSU’s position as one of the top universities in Malaysia for graduate employability. He has received state awards for his tireless efforts in social transformation and educational improvement, highlighting his significant contributions to the community.

Following is an exclusive conversation conducted with Professor Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid, the illustrious President and Founder of the Management and Science University (MSU), Management & Science Institute (MSI) and the MSU Group of Colleges, Malaysia, to pave way for evergrowing enthusiasm of Sri Lankan students, eager to embark on a life-changing educational adventure beyond the shores of homeland to step into a world of limitless possibilities in future.

Could you briefly elaborate on the history of the Management and Science University?

“Management and Science University (MSU) stands as a globally recognized institution, accredited by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), committed to nurturing comprehensive human potential. The institution is driven by a vision of a more sustainable, equitable future for all, exemplifying its dedication to fairness through extensive initiatives aimed at transforming lives and enriching the prospects of future generations. Since its establishment in 1981, MSU has consistently maintained a fervent commitment to cultivating well-rounded graduates who excel both academically and professionally. This dedication extends beyond traditional education, encompassing facets such as teaching, research, innovative curriculum development, stringent quality standards, leadership, social entrepreneurship, effective management, and active community engagement to uplift and empower society”.

MSU has very strong vision and mission statements, and would you like to say how you have met these goals so far?

“Continuous improvement is a paramount focus at MSU, ensuring the continual enhancement of education through effective teaching and learning methods. Valuable feedback gathered from diverse stakeholders, including students, alumni, industry partners, and partner institutions, serves as a guiding force, propelling MSU towards innovation and aligning its offerings with the evolving needs of professional industries. The institution has achieved significant recognition on the global stage, being the first university outside of Japan to receive accreditation from ABEST21 and earning the distinction of being recognized by ASIC as a Global TVET Model University with Outstanding Leadership in International TVET Education, along with the prestigious Fellowship Award for

Leadership. MSU’s dedication to promoting TVET-based education has been unequivocally acknowledged through its receipt of the Malaysia’s Best University (TVET Education) as bestowed by Malaysia Education & TVET 2023 award. This recognition is further underpinned by the university’s proactive implementation of innovative strategies that prioritize TVET components across diverse study programmes, resulting in MSU’s dual accolades from ASIC for Excellence in Quality International Education and Outstanding Contribution to International Education. At present, the student population at the university is 25,000

Would you like tell us how you maintain quality of study and how you benchmark it?

“The university’s acclaimed academic programmes consistently adhere to rigorous standards set by both local and international accrediting bodies. MSU boasts a diverse array of accreditors, including the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), the United Kingdom’s Accreditation Services for International Schools, Colleges & Universities (ASIC), Japan’s Alliance on Business Education and Scholarship for Tomorrow (ABEST21), the Netherlands’ Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial & Engaged Universities (ACEEU), the United Kingdom’s Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), and Sri Lanka’s University Grant Commission (UGC)”.

What makes your university different and distinctive from the other higher educational institutes in Malaysia?

“Focused on producing well-rounded graduates, MSU actively collaborates with more than 2000 industrial partners, ensuring the employability of its graduates. As an applied and enterprise-driven university committed to enhancing graduate employability, MSU boasts an impressive 97.5% success rate, with its graduates’ securing employment within six months of graduation according to the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) tracer study. Furthermore, MSU incorporates entrepreneurship throughout its curriculum, earning a prestigious SETARA Tier-5 Excellent Status for Emerging University from MOHE and the coveted title of “The Most Entrepreneurial Private University in Malaysia.” Moreover, MSU’s global outlook is exemplified by its engagement with over 300 partner universities and its welcoming of international students from more than 65 countries”.

How would you like explain MSU’s international ranking status and progress in relation to other colleges and Universities around the world?

“MSU boasts an impressive global standing, securing its place among the top academic institutions worldwide. The university currently holds positions in the prestigious QS Top 100 for young universities globally, the QS Top 200 for universities in Asia, and an exceptional position in the QS Top 30 among universities in Southeast Asia. Additionally, MSU ranks within the QS Top 301+ for both Graduate Employability and University Impact. Notably, it is featured in the esteemed QS World University Rankings (WUR) for 2024 and the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings for 2022.

MSU’s excellence extends to specific academic disciplines, as demonstrated by its rankings in the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject, where it is positioned in the top 50 for hospitality and leisure management, the top 150 for art and design, and the top 350 for business and management studies.

The university’s commitment to sustainability and engagement has earned it prestigious accolades, including the Global Green University of the Year, the People’s Choice Award, and a spot among the Top 5 Engaged Global Universities in the recent Triple E Awards by ACEEU. This recognition builds upon MSU’s prior achievements, including being named the Most Entrepreneurial and Engaged University in Asia in 2019 and being a finalist for the Student-Driven Sustainability Project of the Year 2020 and the Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2020.

Furthermore, MSU made history as the first higher education institution to attain an EMNA E-STAR from the Entrepreneurial Mindset Network, recognizing its dedication to quality education, research, and entrepreneurship, as well as its contributions to various sectors, spanning economic, social, cultural, and environmental domains. The university’s commitment to excellence is reinforced by the Platinum 5 Crowns awarded by ASIC and a 5-Star rating from QS in several key metrics, including Teaching, Graduate Employability, Academic Development, Internationalization, Hospitality and Leisure Management, Online Learning, Social Responsibility, and Inclusiveness. MSU’s global reputation underscores its unwavering dedication to academic excellence and societal impact”.

Could you describe us innovative R&Ds by MSU in different disciplines?

“With the noble aspiration of transforming lives and enhancing the future, MSU’s Centers of Excellence have been established to formulate solutions for the societal challenges confronting both local and international Malaysian communities. Recognizing the diverse nature of these challenges across different segments of society, we remain committed to acknowledging and addressing the struggles faced by these communities with utmost seriousness. The Centres of Excellence (COE) at MSU diligently labor towards mitigating, if not entirely eliminating, the daily hardships endured by these communities in the face of such societal challenges. In collaboration with the MSU Foundation (Yayasan MSU), COEs actively seek funding for their projects, which play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing pertinent societal issues, ultimately striving to improve the circumstances of those affected. This endeavor holds the potential to significantly enhance the overall quality of life for these communities”.

The university has seven Centres of Excellence. What are they?

“The seven Centres of Excellence at MSU are its beacons of example for research addressing societal challenges, provision of expert advice and centres for continuous training and development in their respective ambits. They include LEAD – Leadership and Entrepreneurship Advancement Institute, ICHLAS – International Centre for Halal Studies, SenDI – Software Engineering and Digital Innovation Centre, CSBD – Centre of Cyber Security and Big Data, MyCeLL – MSU Clinical Centre of Excellence, MyCAM – MSU Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, MSU-iCARE – MSU Centre of Excellence for Vision and Eyecare and MSU-DXL – MSU Diagnostics and Research Laboratory.

Each centre addresses a societal challenge parallel to the flagship set by these centres. These flagships will help us solve community issues in a more intricate and focused manner to achieve the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals’ calls to action including environmental issues.

These goals help the research teams to have an engrossed attention to each societal challenge within the communities that will help attain the result of improving the lives of all communities alike”.

What is your message to the readership as the President of this prestigious institution in Malaysia?

“The future envisions graduates transitioning into job creators rather than merely job seekers, with technology and innovation serving as the primary driving forces. Moreover, possessing global and cultural appreciation and competence will confer a distinct advantage in this evolving landscape”.