Transforming Students from Job Seekers to Job Creators
Kuala Lumpur: Efforts to transform students from job seekers to job creators after graduation is the focus of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) in the Malaysian Education Development Plan (PPPM) 2025 – 2035, which is currently being drafted.
Encouraging Entrepreneurship
Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship in creating jobs for graduates. However, research shows that only 10 out of 100 university students are involved in entrepreneurship.
“This is a big challenge, but I think we need to improve it so that it (entrepreneurship) can prepare students for the world of work and become entrepreneurs,” he said.
Mustapha noted that technology has made it easier for students to become entrepreneurs, as they can now produce coding or content with minimal capital required.
Supporting Business Start-ups
The MOHE has provided a special fund for university-level business start-ups, in addition to organizing competitions among students of Institutions of Higher Learning (IPTA) to increase their creativity.
Long-term Practical Training
Mustapha emphasized the importance of providing long-term practical training to students to make them competent and understand the world of work better.
“In the past, we talked a lot about theory but now we want to emphasize giving more practical things to our students. When they go out into the workforce, they don’t feel clumsy and that’s what matters,” he said.
The MOHE has also implemented the 2U2i Programme, where students will study for two years at university and two years be attached in industry, exposing them to the industry earlier.
On-Campus Industry Programmes
The MOHE’s On-Campus Industry (IOC) programme also helps provide early exposure to the world of work to students through visits by industry experts to the university.
“We bring industry into the campus. There are those who open a ‘test lab’ on their own campus and interact with students about the real world of work,” he said.
Conclusion
The Malaysian Education Development Plan 2025-2035 aims to transform students from job seekers to job creators by promoting entrepreneurship, supporting business start-ups, and providing long-term practical training. By doing so, students will be better equipped to navigate the world of work and create jobs for themselves and others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the focus of the Malaysian Education Development Plan 2025-2035?
A: The focus is on transforming students from job seekers to job creators by promoting entrepreneurship, supporting business start-ups, and providing long-term practical training.
Q: What is the MOHE’s 2U2i Programme?
A: The 2U2i Programme is a programme where students will study for two years at university and two years be attached in industry, exposing them to the industry earlier.
Q: What is the MOHE’s On-Campus Industry (IOC) programme?
A: The IOC programme is a programme that brings industry experts to the university campus to interact with students about the real world of work.