Malaysian Graduates Need Soft Skills to be Hired

Undergrads need to develop soft skills, says Khaled, Minister of Higher Education

MARCH, 2010 - The Star

SKUDAI: Undergraduates need to develop their soft skills while in university as preparation to enter the competitive job market.

Employers were no longer looking for graduates armed only with good grades, but were seeking those with effective soft skills such as the ability to communicate well and work in a team, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin.

The main role played by universities was to impart knowledge and it was up to undergraduates to acquire the soft skills, he said at the Career Day 2010.

It was jointly organised by the Institution of Surveyors Malaysia, Johor Education Department and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia for Form Four and Five students.

Khaled also called on undergraduates to enrich their campus life with studies and extra-curricular activities, such as participating in sports events, joining societies and doing volunteer work.

He added companies or employers did not necessarily hire graduates who passed with flying colours, adding those with average academic qualification but better soft skills had a better chance of being hired.

Separately, Khaled called on parents to also change their mindset and not only limit their children’s education courses to medicine, engineering or architecture only.

Too many students were applying to study these popular courses in universities, although the chances of getting in were slim due to limited space available.