China Enterprises Association in Malaysia holds career fair

FOR the first time, the China Enterprises Association in Malaysia (Cenam) has held a career fair for Malaysian graduates.

Cenam vice-president Tian Hua said the platform was a convenient and efficient way for Chinese enterprises and Malaysian jobseekers to connect.

“(Malaysians can) help Chinese enterprises participate in (the country’s) economic diversification, adapt to local cultures, promote community cohesion, and inject new thinking into businesses for sustainable development,” Tian said at the launch of the Career Fair 2019 at Universiti Malaya (UM) last Monday.

Jointly organised by the Kong Zi Institute Universiti Malaya (KZIUM), the fair was held until Tuesday.

Tian said he expects Cenam will facilitate more “hand-holding” between Malaysian youth and Chinese companies, “so that the youth can be witnesses, supporters, and beneficiaries of the close ties between China and Malaysia”.

Tian said Malaysia’s economy and development leads the way among Southeast Asian countries.

“Over 45 years of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, the two countries have been promoting win-win economic cooperation (which) brought benefits to both countries,” he added.

Chinese Embassy chargé d’affaires Chen Chen said the fair was aimed at providing a specialised recruitment channel and communication platform for the enterprises and graduates.

“I hope the recruitment fair will gradually develop into a popular brand in Malaysia’s talent market and play a significant role in promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation,” he said.

Chen said interns and jobseekers registering for the fair showed the strong foundation and huge potential for China-Malaysia cooperation.

“The Malaysian government has reiterated its support for the Belt and Road Initiative,” he said, adding that the Chinese government has always encouraged Chinese corporations to invest in Malaysia through participation in economic diversification and development.

Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching commended KZIUM and Cenam, saying the ministry encourages such partnerships.

“We cannot educate our children in isolation. We must nurture them, remembering that they must be able to adapt to the industry one day.

“Therefore it is important that universities provide programmes that prepare students for different economic sectors and are able to adapt to the changes in the global economy and the innovation process. “With 24 companies participating in the career fair, and with more than 400 vacancies and internship placements, I am sure this is a great opportunity for students to explore and secure a future placement, be it an internship or a job after graduation,” she said.

Teo said universities and industries should work together beyond the career fair to transfer knowledge, offer internship placements, and develop curriculum together for a mutually beneficial relationship.

Also present was UM deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Dr Kamila Ghazali.