BM @ MY LNA Education

All suited up: Equipping graduates with industry excellence

ByopinionJuly 7, 20233 Mins read106

Graduates need to be equipped with added advantage to excel in the industry. Photo by Javier Quesada - Unsplash

By: Prof. Ir. Dr. Ramesh Singh

Cultivating industry-competent graduates has become increasingly crucial as the demand for diverse capabilities at workplace continues to rise. Institutions of higher learning (IHLs) face the challenge of preparing graduates who possess the knowledge and skill sets necessary to effectively address industry challenges.

A strong foundation in mathematics, natural science and computing among graduates cannot be overstated. These subjects are building blocks for various disciplines, including technology, humanities and social sciences. Additionally, future graduates are expected to develop critical thinking, able to identify problems and provide justified solutions, communicate effectively, and collaborate within cross-functional teams. These skills are crucial and can only be acquired through systematic learning in the university setting.

In the current era of digital technologies, the evolution of artificial intelligence and associated technologies will continue to evolve in all aspect of our daily lives and industry. Therefore, future graduates must be adaptable to workplace technologies, quick to learn, adaptable to new technological advancement, and capable of effectively communicating complex technical concepts. This skill set is essential in navigating the increasingly skills-driven landscape in the industry.

To ensure the relevance of academic curricula in response to the changing needs of the industry, IHLs should focus on developing a well-rounded curriculum that prioritises adaptability and transferrable skills. Key areas to emphasise include:

• Technical skills: Provide transferrable skills across different technologies, platforms and industries. This includes proficiency in programming languages, data analysis, and cybersecurity with holistic considerations for sustainable development.

• Soft skills: Emphasise on essential soft skills such as communication, collaboration, problem-solving, adaptability, and critical thinking.

• Entrepreneurship skills: Incorporate elements of entrepreneurship, enabling graduates to distinguish opportunities, create and validate business ideas, and develop business plans.

• Teamwork skills: Equip graduates with the ability to work in diverse and inclusive teams while fostering aptitudes in coordinating within multi-disciplinary settings.

• Research skills: Provide graduates the capability and skills to conduct research and interpret data in deriving solution or making decision.

• Lifelong learning skills: Instil the ability to undertake self-directed learning in pursuit of new knowledge, to recognise the need for upskilling, able to network, and adaptation to new and emerging technologies.

Dedicated to the cultivation of future graduates equipped with vital knowledge, skills and industry expertise, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) places great emphasis on adapting to the ever-changing global and industry landscape. UNITEN understands the importance of keeping up to date with current industry trends, leading us to continuously enhance our curricula to meet the evolving demands in the field of engineering, business, and information technology.

In our pursuit of excellence at UNITEN, we ensure that our programmes are on par with those offered by world-class universities. Several strategic initiatives were implemented including appointing and engaging with esteemed academics from renowned institutions as visiting professors and enlisting experienced industry captains, both local and international, as adjunct professors. We also ensure that industry is involve in curriculum review, sharing of experience through teaching selected part of the course and industry-based projects. This dynamic ecosystem provides our students with opportunities to immerse themselves in real-world scenarios, explore complex problems, apply theory and concepts learn in classroom to finding solutions to real problems, and most of all benefit from the interaction with industry practitioners. UNITEN has established strong network with many industries including Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) thus enabling our students to be continuously exposed to the changing demand at workplace and associated technologies. Our graduates are equip with the core competencies as needed by the industry; they are empowered to adapt and excel in the workplace.

In summary, academic curriculum needs to be agile to keep up with the latest demand at workplace and the evolution of technology. IHLs cannot work in silos in the dissemination of knowledge and to develop core competencies, including transferrable technical and soft skills, entrepreneurship skills, teamwork skills, and to inculcate the skills to embark on lifelong learning. We need to work closely and foster partnership with industry to nurture future proof graduates.

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^{The author is the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International) of Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Senior Professor of Universiti Malaya and a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. He may be reached at ramesh@uniten.edu.my}