Raising employment opportunities
INDUSTRY partnerships have always been identified as a crucial element that contributes towards graduates’ industry preparedness. For SEGi Group of Colleges, smart partnerships with industry players not only helps in terms of preparing students for the industry but also in promoting the concept of lifelong learning among its stakeholders.
A recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between SEGi and the Malaysian Mobile Technology Association (MMTA) proves to be a good example of how both parties can mutually benefit from each other through a strategic partnership.
MMTA is a professional body that represents the majority of providers of mobile services such as infrastructure and platforms, solutions, system integrations, payments, telecommunication and content. This includes major players like Huawei Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd. The body also serves as a knowledge platform for mobile industry players to update and engage with emerging technologies and innovations in the Information and Communications (ICT) sector.
Through this MoU, SEGi University and Colleges will be providing MMTA members upskilling, reskilling, training and study opportunities for their staff and immediate family members, whereas MMTA will serve as a corporate partner and academic adviser to SEGi’s IT and computing programmes and facilitate student engagement and placements.
Above that, both organisations will also look into cross collaborations for training and certification programmes, consultancy, professional industry engagements and networking.
This is a boon to SEGi as the institution will not just be raising the quality of graduates by exposing them to industry-relevant curriculum and professional development opportunities but also by widening the employment pool and career opportunities for the students.
At the same time, by upskilling or reskilling MMTA’s member associations, SEGi is also helping the members of the industry to find sustainable employment in this fast-evolving industry.
SEGi College Subang Jaya Centre for Continuing Education deputy head, Eve Tan Ai Gee, said one of SEGi’s priority in its teaching and learning philosophy is to always provide industry-driven curriculum. Collaboration with industry partners like MMTA is a testament to SEGi’s continuous effort in enhancing their students’ industry knowledge and employability.
“We can use the industry knowledge to raise their competitiveness, competencies and compatibility because our main aim is to produce industry-relevant graduates, especially for Industry 4.0.
“Since MMTA hosts over 30 corporate members from the industry, this would enable us to engage them as professional speakers, consultants or potential employers which will increase the marketability and employability of our graduates,” said Tan.
She added that this partnership also provides the added advantage of appealing to the adult learners market as SEGi looks into positioning itself as a reliable training and higher education provider for adults including professionals.
“We have SEGi Weekend/Evening Classes, professional certifications and short courses that can undoubtedly raise their level of competencies and redefine their future.
“We also have a significant number of courses that are Industry 4.0-driven so we are essentially upskilling the current workforce so that they can secure a more sustainable future,” added Tan.
With the rapid growth of the mobile device and mobile technology industry, ICT students, as well as professionals, have an upper hand at developing and innovating user-oriented products and services and with the right skills, knowledge and lifelong learning opportunities, they will also gain the right competencies to create a stronger knowledge-based economy and society.