Ready for the job market
HOW job ready do you want to be? This is the question that schoolleavers and those looking to further their studies should answer. The answer will indicate the university you should attend in preparation of your future career.
Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Rafi Mohamed Eshaq (pic), president of Multimedia University (MMU), explains the importance of answering this question.
“While universities have always been about preparing students for their future careers, not all universities are able to prepare their students equally well,” he says.
Most graduates have a crack in their skill set, creating a mismatch between what employers want and what they can offer.
The crack is a result of a university only teaching theories to students, which are available in textbooks.
Theories are not wrong. However, employers and industries also require the applications of these theories together with the knowledge of how the industry works.
At MMU, ensuring that its students are career-ready has been a focus of the university from day one. While many universities make the same claim, few can actually match MMU’s track record.
“Over the past few years, MMU together with the Higher Education Ministry has been keeping track of how well MMU graduates have been received by the industry,” says Prof Ahmad.
“Our surveys have found that more than 95% of our graduates are consistently able to secure employment within six months of graduation, even in the current challenging economy. This is irrefutable evidence of our graduates’ job-readiness.”
One of the major keys to nurturing such graduates rests in how the courses are delivered. Simply reciting from the textbooks is inadequate.
Students must be able to relate theories with real-world demands. This is why, at MMU, students are given real-world problems to solve.
For instance, late last year, MMU students were given a unique opportunity. The Digital Strategy and Innovation Office of Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) approached the university to develop new ideas for the nation’s flag carrier.
After spending several sessions gaining insight into MAB, the students went about developing new ideas that could be used by MAB.
A Bachelor of Accounting student came up with the winning idea and was awarded a prize and the opportunity to participate in a three-day workshop at MAB.
Students from other faculties were also given the opportunity to show off their thinking skills, with a team from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology that earned the recognition of the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia.
The students were attached to the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia to further develop their research projects.
On top of having students to help solve real-world problems, MMU has also actively leveraged on its industrial connections.
This resulted in MMU students being able to apply their knowledge in real-life scenarios. Programmes run involve numerous companies, including webe, Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s (TM) digital mobility services provider, as well as other industry players.
On November 15 last year, MMU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five companies – Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, The Media Hustler Sdn Bhd, Giggle Garage Sdn Bhd, Vizoflux Sdn Bhd and ThinkerBox Sdn Bhd. This was to help MMU students understand just how theories are applied to solve real-world problems.
MMU students are fortunate to have such opportunities. Very few of their peers in other universities are able to come close in engaging industry practitioners as not many institutions enjoy the recognition that MMU does.
Being a university that provides industry-driven programmes, MMU has become a university that is widely trusted by industries, to the benefit of our students.
The above are a few of the initiatives taken by MMU to bring the best learning experiences to its students.
For more information, visit www.mmu.edu.my or call 1300 800 668 (MMU).