Johor Bahru, 21st March 2016 – This year saw more than 50 companies participating in various events and exhibitions. Among participating companies include MSM, Honda, Maybank, Sony, Bosch, and many more.
7 companies, namely, MSM Malaysia Holdings Berhad, Bosch Malaysia, Globalfoundaries Singapore, Micron, Maybank, Syarikat pembinaan Yeoh Tiong Lay Sdn Bhd, and Polyplastics Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd conducted career talks by sharing industry insights and what it takes to be part of their organizations.
The Career Carnival was officiated by YB Datuk Haji Ahmad Haji Maslan, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI)
In his address, he urged universities to embed both global and regional flavours in their student development and academic programmes. This is because students and graduates must be able to function at the national level, fulfilling employer needs across all sectors and industries. Additionally, students should also be able to understand the needs of countries within the region, and developments happening globally. Students must have the passion and drive to be mobilised across the region and globally for employment and investment opportunities. At the end of the day, the nation needs capable engineers, scientists, and technocrats to develop the economy, and contribute to regional development.
Prof Datuk Dr Ir Wahid Omar, the Vice-Chancellor of UTM reminded students that the profile of a global workforce entails a multitude of characteristics. This includes not only the “standard” requirements of technical knowledge and communication skills, but also other additional requirements like active listening, or the ability to give full attention and understand what others are saying.
He also stressed on the importance of cognitive flexibility, or the “synthesising” of the mind. This involves the integration of ideas from different disciplines or spheres into a UTM Career Carnival 2016 – Unleashing Students’ Potential.
He hopes that UTM students would leave UTM not only with paper qualifications, skills and competencies required by the job market, but also with community values, good moral ethics, and strong spiritual standing, with the ability to adapt and respond to any situations and challenges that come their way.
This UTM annual career event has grown in scale, scope and significance since its inaugural inception 22 years ago, and continues to make a significant contribution to the university’s graduate employability agenda.