📝 Ringkasan / Summary
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has partnered with TalentCorp Malaysia to launch the “Walk with Me Coaching Programme,” aiming to enhance graduate employability beyond academic results. This initiative involved 91 final-year students receiving structured coaching from industry professionals through virtual and in-person sessions. The program focuses on developing essential professional competencies like communication, leadership, and adaptability, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the modern workforce.
JOHOR BAHRU, 13 Jan – Graduate employability is no longer defined by academic results alone. It is shaped by exposure, professional judgement and the ability to operate confidently in real workplace environments. Recognising this shift, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) continues to embed industry engagement into its academic ecosystem through initiatives such as the Walk with Me Coaching Programme.
Led by the School of Human Resource Development and Psychology (SHARPS), Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), the programme concluded with a graduation ceremony officiated by Prof. Ts. Dr. Intan Zaurah Mat Darus, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), UTM. Also present at the ceremony were Mohamed Nazib Suliman, Sector Head, Southern Region, TalentCorp, together with Prof. Dr. Siti Aisyah Panatik, Deputy Dean (Academic), Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH).
The programme, which commenced on 3 November 2025, involved 91 final-year students who underwent structured coaching with industry professionals.
Unlike conventional career preparation activities, Walk with Me places students in sustained, guided engagement with industry coaches through both virtual and in-person sessions. This industry-embedded approach enables students to develop professional competencies that are increasingly emphasised in global graduate outcome indicators, including communication, leadership, adaptability, professional resilience and workplace readiness.
In her address, Prof. Intan Zaurah highlighted that UTM’s employability initiatives are grounded in experiential learning and meaningful industry exposure.
“Learning today extends beyond classrooms and curricula. It is shaped through mentorship, professional conversations and real-world engagement that prepares students to transition confidently into the workforce,” she said.
Delivered in collaboration with TalentCorp Malaysia and supported by experienced industry coaches, the programme contributes directly to national talent development priorities while reinforcing UTM’s commitment to producing graduates who are not only knowledgeable, but also industry-aware and future-ready.
The involvement of industry mentors provided students with first-hand insights into professional expectations, workplace culture and career decision-making. This exposure strengthens students’ career clarity and confidence, key dimensions increasingly reflected in graduate employability and employer perception benchmarks.
Programmes such as Walk with Me exemplify UTM’s broader institutional direction as a globally engaged, research-intensive university that aligns academic delivery with industry relevance and societal needs. Addressing the graduating students, Prof. Intan Zaurah encouraged them to uphold professionalism, integrity and continuous learning as they embark on their careers, while carrying forward the values and reputation of UTM as responsible global citizens and professionals.
The ceremony concluded with the official declaration of the Graduation Ceremony of the Walk with Me Coaching Programme 2026, reflecting UTM’s ongoing efforts to align education with workforce readiness and global expectations.
