INDUSTRIES WANT WORK-READY GRADUATES
7 February 2022 - Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) comprising of Mr Mohd Yusrizal Mohd Yusoof (Mercedes-Benz Malaysia), Mdm Farah Hani (DRB Hicom), Mr Mohd Najib Ibrahim (Cyberview Sdn Bhd), Mr Mohd Hazaruddin Muhammad (BASF Petronas Chemicals) and Mr Mohd Nizam Yaacob (Mercedes-Benz Malaysia) all gave very insightful feedback to industry current issues and needs related to local fresh graduates in the recent IAP meeting with the Centre for Modern Languages (CML), Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) that was conducted via Microsoft Teams platform. In line with the development of the 4.0 industrial revolution in Malaysia, this meeting was expected to increase the marketability of students upon graduation and to discuss any issues and improvements necessary to the programs and courses offered in CML.
From UMP, the attendees were CML Dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nik Aloesnita Nik Alwi, Dr Fatimah Ali (Deputy Dean of Academic), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hafizoah Kassim (Deputy Dean of Research and Postgraduate Studies), Dr Azwin Arif Abdul Rahim (Head of Technical & Services) Dr. Ruhil Amal Azmuddin (Head of Programme, Division of English Language), Dr. Wan Jumani Fauzi (Head of Programme, Division of Foreign Language) and the meeting secretariat.
To kickstart the session, CML Dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nik Aloesnita Nik Alwi gave a briefing on the current programmes, courses, international collaboration, and CML expertise. The Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation, Assoc. Prof. Dr Hafizoah Kassim presented on the postgraduate programmes that CML offers, namely Masters of Science in Technology Integrated Language Studies as well as Master’s and PhDs by research. The session then continued with a healthy discussion on the quality of graduates today and how to improve it, with particular focus on the English language and its application at the workplace. Mdm Farah Hani highlighted the urgency of integrating leadership skills and business etiquette especially when texting. She emphasised to not make learning English an option as many graduates lack basic English. She also stressed on the significance of writing and communication skills being very important for career paths. In addition, Mr Mohd Nizam voiced out that attitudes such as soft skills and interpersonal communication must to be included in the curriculum.
UMP Alumni, Mr Mohd Hazaruddin, who remembered taking taekwondo lessons from the Dean, remembered as well how he learned Chinese culture in his Mandarin elective course and how that helped him. He too emphasised on the importance of business correspondence without which, would be difficult to climb the corporate ladder.
With the recommendations received, CML hopes to improve the quality and effectiveness of the programmes and courses offered to students, and simultaneously assist in obtaining and maintaining accreditation status with the related professional bodies.
All in all, the IAP session went smoothly with no hiccups and the management team welcomed and celebrated all the feedback provided and looked forward to relaying all the information with all CML academic staff.
Prepared by: Dr Ruhil Amal Azmuddin and Dr Wan Jumani Fauzi
