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Volume:6 Issues: 37 [November, 2021] Special Issues pp. 1 - 21]
International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Business (IJAFB)
eISSN: 0128-1844
Journal website: www.ijafb.com
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
EDUCATION LITERACY IN THE ERA OF DIGITAL
TRANSFORMATION: GRADUATES OF THE POST-
PANDEMIC COVID-19 UNEMPLOYMENT CRISIS
Irma Wani Othman1
Saifulazry Mokhtar2*
Adelaine Tham3
Kelvin Yong4
1Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia.
Email: irma@ums.edu.my
2Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia.
Email: saifulazry.mokhtar@ums.edu.my
3Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia.
Email: adetam@ums.edu.my
4Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia.
Email: kelvinyong@ums.edu.my
*Corresponding Author
Article history
To cite this document:
Received date
:
01-08-2021
Othman, I. W., Mokhtar, S., Tham, A., & Yong, K.
(2021). The Significance of Entrepreneurship
Education Literacy in The Era of Digital
Transformation: Graduates of The Post-Pandemic
Covid-19 Unemployment Crisis. International
Journal of Accounting, Finance and Business
(IJAFB), 6 (37), 1 - 21.
Revised date
:
23-08-2021
Accepted date
:
25-10-2021
Published date
:
30-11-2021
___________________________________________________________________________
Abstract: In the context of Malaysian higher education institutions and in accordance with the
Industrial Revolution 4.0, all corners of the world are predicted to enter the era of mega trends
in which digital transformation pervades all aspects of life, necessitating adaptation by the
younger generation. This paper discusses the general knowledge and understanding of
entrepreneurship education literacy in the digital transformation era. Graduates facing the
post-Pandemic Covid-19 unemployment crisis is the study’s primary focus. The qualitative
research methodology used is based on the inaugural background, so this paper puts the
research lens on a selection of contemporary issues such as emphasis on the university to
expose students to have more than one skill through entrepreneurship education, which refers
to (i) soft skills as the basis of economic regeneration, (ii) entrepreneurial skills with the
existence of new opportunities for entrepreneurs, and (iii) relevance of E-commerce with ICT
and technical skills of graduates. Meanwhile, collaboration and industry commitment indicate
intense cooperation between higher education institutions, thus providing many benefits to
graduates, particularly in overcoming Malaysia’s graduate unemployment crisis. Emphasising
the importance of universities and industry working together to increase employment
opportunities and graduate marketability, among the issues of concern are (i) involvement of
the industry in HEIs, (ii) CEO@Faculty Programme, and (iii) 2u2i Programme and Industrial
Training Policy.
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Volume:6 Issues: 37 [November, 2021] Special Issues pp. 1 - 21]
International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Business (IJAFB)
eISSN: 0128-1844
Journal website: www.ijafb.com
Keywords: Entrepreneurship education literacy. digital transformation, graduate
unemployment, post-Pandemic Covid-19
Introduction
In line with the Industrial Revolution 4.0, all corners of the globe are expected to enter the era
of mega trends where digital transformation penetrates all aspects of life, thus seeing the
younger generation forced to adapt to the current situation. Unfortunately, the World Health
Organisation (WHO) has declared 2019 coronavirus disease, also known as Covid-19, a
pandemic on 11th March 2020 (Yusoff, Othman, Mohd Shah, Esa, Zulhazmi, Ibrahim & Ationg,
2021a). The term pandemic refers to an epidemic attack that has a very broad scope and its
spread is not just limited to a single community or district. The spread of this pandemic is a
public health crisis that has compelled most countries around the world to take drastic measures
such as implementing curfews (lockdown). Malaysia has not been left behind in the
implementation of curfew orders and has decided on Movement Control Orders (MCO)
throughout the country, which prohibit movement and public gatherings such as religious,
social, and cultural activities (Yusoff & Sarifin, 2021). The MCO implementation has gone
through several phases and has serious economic implications. Unemployment has a significant
impact on the country’s economic instability.
According to the International Labour Organisation, unemployment refers to individuals who
do not have a job but are actively seeking employment and preparing to accept employment
within a time frame agreed upon by both the employer and the individual (Aziz, 2020).
However, the appropriate definition of this pandemic situation is Bell’s (2016) definition of
unemployment in which unemployment is categorised as a situation in which qualified workers
are ready to work but do not have employment opportunities. The problem of unemployment
is most common among youths, particularly graduates of higher learning institutions. Youths
aged 15 to 29 years represent a significant component of the national labour market, accounting
for nearly 40% of the total labour force (Ali, Che’ Rus, Haron & Mohammad Hussain, 2018).
With reference to a study conducted by the Institute for Research and Development of Policy
(IRDP), the total annual output of local graduates from Higher Learning Institutions exceeds
200,000 students (Othman, 2021).
The submission of this paper demonstrates how successful entrepreneurs or businessmen may
be recognized by anticipating their traits. This is due to the fact that being an entrepreneur is
not a natural trait but has been influenced by other factors and can be trained. This
entrepreneurship is also likely to be influenced by the parents who have ventured into this field,
and thus the younger generation now knows the ins and outs of becoming a successful
entrepreneur and businessman. This is supported by Ali, Ismail, Suleiman & Tajuddin (2016),
who believe that graduates’ choice of career is strongly influenced by their family’s career
relevance.
According to Yusof (2003), students who want to venture into the field of entrepreneurship
should be given exposure by correcting their attitudes, perceptions, and interests so that this
field is chosen as their employment opportunity after graduation. It is also influenced by the
university’s internal attraction factors such as the application of subjects related to
entrepreneurship and business. Ultimately, graduates should be introduced to entrepreneurship
and business in order to ensure their future after graduating from HEI. The Malaysian
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Volume:6 Issues: 37 [November, 2021] Special Issues pp. 1 - 21]
International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Business (IJAFB)
eISSN: 0128-1844
Journal website: www.ijafb.com
government strives to improve people’s lives by transitioning them from a society that is solely
dependent on the government to a society that is self-sufficient and has its own multiple career
pathways.
Background Study
With the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic disaster, the government is once again grappling
with the country’s difficult state. As in previous years, the government has implemented special
packages to alleviate the burden of the people in the event that Malaysia is confronted with a
wave that threatens the people’s well-being. For example, following the SARS outbreak that
swept the country in 2003, the government announced an economic package worth RM8.1
billion (Astro Awani, 2020a). Similarly, in 2009, Malaysia faced global financial crisis and the
government announced a RM60 billion stimulus package (Mstar, 2009). Thus, the government
becomes stakeholders in ensuring the country’s sustainability in a variety of ways, particularly
the national economy.
The government is capable to formulate a plan that can provide benefits as well as ease the
burden of Malaysians. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the government has implemented six
major strategies namely Revolve, Resilience, Restart, Recovery, Revitalise and Reform (Yusoff
& Sarifin, 2021). Under the People’s Concerned Economic Stimulus Package (PRIHATIN),
the government has demonstrated its resolve to provide protection to the lives, and the lives of
the people in the second approach, Resilience (Sinar Harian, 2020). This is followed by the
Restart phase in which the economic sectors are opened in stages and controlled. On the eve
of the Recovery phase, the government is determined to revive the economy by introducing
strategic initiatives that will propel it forward.
The Malaysian government has chosen the fiscal option of announcing the country’s Economic
Regeneration Plan (PENJANA) with the theme “Together to Generate the Economy” on 5th
June 2020 through the People’s Caring Economic Stimulus Package (PRIHATIN) (Sinar
Harian, 2020). The government has taken an inclusive and holistic approach to economic
recovery and it is critical that the entire population is included in this plan. The government
has identified three main thrusts under PENJANA, namely Empower People, Propel
Businesses, and Stimulate the Economy (Sinar Harian, 2020). Under PENJANA, there are 40
basic initiatives worth RM35 billion of which RM10 is a direct fiscal injection from the
government (Bernama, 2020).
The National Economic Regeneration Plan (PENJANA) is a Short-Term Economic Plan that
can offer benefits to all citizens, particularly unemployed graduates (Aziz, 2020). This is
because it is in line with the objectives of this plan, where one of the objectives is to create jobs
and curb unemployment. Every year the statistics on graduate marketability are high, which
shows that cases of graduate unemployment can be addressed. In 2019, the tracking study, also
known as the Tracer Study, discovered that all HEI or PHEI achieved a marketability rate of
around 82.6 percent while public universities achieved a rate of nearly 88 percent (MOE, 2019).
However, in 2020, the situation is quite different from before due to the constraints of the
contagious Covid-19, which has been proven to have paralysed the economic situation.
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Volume:6 Issues: 37 [November, 2021] Special Issues pp. 1 - 21]
International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Business (IJAFB)
eISSN: 0128-1844
Journal website: www.ijafb.com
Literature Review
Since the inception of Malaysia's New Economic Policy in 1970, the concept of entrepreneur
has been introduced (Yusof, 2003). According to Zafir & Fazirah (2007), an entrepreneur is a
person who performs any activity related to entrepreneurship. While the term entrepreneur is
defined as a large-scale job done for the purpose of producing various industrial goods (Zafir
& Fazirah, 2007), it can be said that an entrepreneur is someone who can take the risk of
establishing or starting a business or enterprise, then later inventing and finding ways to succeed
(Mohd Yusof, Tahir, Abdul Malek & Salman, 2020). A person who starts a business, even on
a small scale, or buys a business that has been run by another party is also called an
entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, all the challenges and high risks must be borne in order to
ensure that the effort being put in do not cause the business to shut down as a result of large
risks.
When a person is proficient in this field, it can result in good internal controls because they are
intelligent enough to find ways and means to solve problems and ensure that the business
conducted remains consistent. High vision must be instilled in oneself in order for the business
to grow more widely. An entrepreneur has the right to demand freedom and make their own
business decisions. Therefore, entrepreneurship should be emphasised to university graduates
so that they can develop and train themselves to venture into the field. Abdul Rauf & Abdul
Rauf (2012) believe this will also help graduates earn enough money to cover their living
expenses and will help to alleviate the unemployment crisis for this group after graduating from
any university.
According to Othman, Yusoff, Awang & Jupiter (2016), human capital is defined as a person
who is talented, knowledgeable and has a high morale. Entrepreneurs are a key factor in
expanding business efforts as well as developing strategic plans to generate profits and
economic benefits. Human capital and competitive elements are required to instil an
entrepreneurial mindset in a graduate. This is due to the fact that it has the ability to move all
programmes and activities related to entrepreneurship and business through the role of any
institution in order to improve performance and success. As a result, this field is able to
contribute to the increase in per capita income as well as encourage changes in the structure of
society by opening up employment opportunities for them, particularly for graduates.
The Youth Organisations and Youth Development (Amendment) Act 2019 (Act 668) maintains
the government's commitment to ensuring that the youth defined as graduates contribute to the
economic and social development of the country. According to Othman & Hussin (2019), the
context of social entrepreneurship in human capital development should be highlighted in order
to help develop marginalised communities, particularly unemployed graduates. There is no
denying that human capital today faces a variety of challenges in order to develop professional
capabilities and improve their marketability. With this, Talent Corp is cooperating with
University Malaysia Pahang (UMP) in establishing close collaboration between industry and
academia with the goal of increasing the number of high-quality graduates (Berita Harian,
2016a).
Other Alternatives Graduates Assistance
Aside from monetary incentives, the government focuses on youth skill development. Thus, in
collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), the government has
implemented the KPT-CAP PENJANA, also known as the Career Advancement Programme
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Volume:6 Issues: 37 [November, 2021] Special Issues pp. 1 - 21]
International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Business (IJAFB)
eISSN: 0128-1844
Journal website: www.ijafb.com
(Berita Harian, 2020a). In an effort to increase graduates’ marketability, a total of 87
programmes were approved with the entire programme collaborating with 154 training provider
companies or companies that issue Letter of Commitment (LOC) as a guarantee of job
placement to graduates after training. The government has allocated a fund of RM100 million
in an effort to curb the unemployment crisis among graduates (Berita Harian, 2020a). This
programme initiative implements reskilling and upskilling programmes to hone graduates' skills
and abilities. As a result, the programme will be able to produce skilled graduates capable of
filling job market openings.
The programme emphasises three main thrusts: Place and Train or training and placement,
focusing on GIG sector (Glorious Human Movement) and entrepreneurship (Berita Harian,
2020a). Before implementing job offers from the industry, Place and Train is a targeted
competency training programme. The second thrust is the entrepreneurship training
programme, which focuses on the formation of start-up businesses. Thus, participants benefit
from financial assistance from banking institutions and government agencies such as Majlis
Amanah Rakyat (MARA), TEKUN Nasional, and AmanahIkhtiar Malaysia through the
establishment (Berita Harian, 2020a). Finally, GIG Economics (Glorious Human Movement)
is a competent training programme that can assist in generating income through GIG economics
or freelancing activities.
To ensure the quality of training offerings, the course design under the KPT-CAP PENJANA
programme is modified to meet the needs and requirements of the company that will recruit
specific graduates after the course has concluded. The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE)
has also mandated that the companies involved prepare and issue a Letter of Commitment
(LOC), which provides participants with a job guarantee. As a result, after completing the
KPT-CAP course, they will be offered a job with an estimated salary of RM2,000 to RM2,500
(Berita Harian, 2020a). In other words, graduates who follow and complete this course can be
confident that they will find work within the next six to twelve months (Berita Harian, 2020a).
The Ministry of Higher Education has set a goal of at least 18,000 affected graduates benefiting
primarily from this programme in terms of employment (Berita Harian, 2020a).
Upskilling and Reskilling Generation
Upskilling and reskilling generation is intended to assist prospective graduates of Institutions
of Higher Learning in obtaining employment opportunities that match their qualifications. The
government has approved RM100 million for the Ministry of Higher Education’s National
Economic Regeneration Plan (KPT-CAP PENJANA), which aims to place 20,000 graduates in
industries such as manufacturing, banking, information technology and communication (ICT)
(MOE, 2020a). With the continuation of up skilling and reskilling initiatives, the graduate
unemployment rate can be reduced and even training to help improve skills will be provided in
order to produce graduates who are realistic and meet the needs of the job market.
Under the upskilling and reskilling initiative, three main programmes are implemented. The
first programme, namely Job Matching and Placement, aims to train graduates for more
competencies before entering the working world in the industry offered. The second
programme is the ongoing entrepreneurship programme which teaches participants how to be
more knowledgeable about entrepreneurship. The third programme is Gig Economy which is a
competent programme that will assist participants in generating opinions through gig economy
activities such as freelancing (MOE, 2020a).
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Volume:6 Issues: 37 [November, 2021] Special Issues pp. 1 - 21]
International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Business (IJAFB)
eISSN: 0128-1844
Journal website: www.ijafb.com
Stimulating the SME industry
As the Covid-19 pandemic spread across the country, micro or medium enterprises (SMEs)
received the greatest impact, particularly during the period of Malaysia’s Movement Control
Order (MCO). Within a period of nearly two years, the economy was nearly completely
paralysed with the majority of businesses ordered to cease operations (Yusoff & Sarifin, 2021).
This situation affects the income of financial resource channels, particularly SMEs and micro-
enterprises. This is due to the fact that the owners of these two types of businesses are
responsible for two major costs of employee, which are salaries and business premises rent.
Therefore, the cessation of operations will present a challenge in terms of cash inflows.
The PRIHATIN Economic Stimulus Package for Additional Small and Medium Enterprises
(SMEs) was created by the government to provide full support to both businesses (Astro Awani,
2020b). The government hopes it will be a radical step in terms of alleviating cash flow issues
while also preserving employment and preventing the number of laid-off workers from
skyrocketing. The government has committed the sum of RM10 billion in this package to
revitalise the country’s economy (Astro Awani, 2020b). This is because the government
believes that SMEs are the backbone of the economy and can make a significant contribution
to the country’s current economic crisis. Based on a report prepared by the Department of
Statistics Malaysia, the record contribution of local SMEs to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is
RM521.7 billion, accounting for 40% of the market economy (Berita Harian, 2019).
Under this additional initiative, local workers earning RM4,000 and below and working in
companies that are already registered with SSM and SOCSO will receive assistance in the form
of wage subsidies (Astro Awani, 2020b). The amount of wage subsidy that an employee receives
is determined by the number of employees in a company. Among them, companies with 200
or more employees will be eligible for a wage subsidy for RM600 per person (Astro Awani,
2020b). Meanwhile, companies with employees ranging from 76 to 200 will receive RM800
per employee (Astro Awani, 2020b). With the implementation of these additional initiatives,
company owners can face cash flow challenges faced by their companies. Apart from being
able to pay the rent of workplace and the employee’s salary, the owner can also hire new
employees, particularly graduates from institutions of higher learning. Thus, the recruitment
graduates as a workforce can prevent the unemployment rate among graduates from increasing.
Mastering the Field of Digital Technology
In the 21st century, various types of new modern technologies have been introduced to help in
the daily lives of modern people. The existence of modern technology such as laptops and
gadgets enable two-way communication from a distance, as well as information discovery via
websites without requiring physical energy. In terms of employment, modern technology
greatly assists workers in performing tasks that are difficult for humans to perform. Examples
include the application of machine and robot technology in factories for the production of goods
as well as automobiles. Company employees utilise digital technology to expedite the
completion of paperwork that would otherwise take an extended period of time. The use of
digital technology, such as information technology such as Google Chrome, has made it easier
for employees to locate information sources that assist them in completing their work.
According to Omar, Mohamad Zan, Hassan & Ibrahim, (2020), information technology is a
combination of the three components of computer, communication and know-how. As a result,
people and organisations will be able to work more productively, successfully and effectively.
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International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Business (IJAFB)
eISSN: 0128-1844
Journal website: www.ijafb.com
In the context of graduates, the mastery of digital technology will make it easier for them to
find work. Abdul Wahab & Ahmad (2017) defined computer literacy as learning how to use
microcomputer software and its devices to produce something using computers. Izzah, Damhuji
& Liu (2016) stated that literacy refers to a person’s level of knowledge and ability to use a
computer. More job opportunities in the IT field are being created and advertised these days.
For example, in the field of filmmaking, where almost all filmmaking is realised or screened
using graphic elements particularly animated films, which are becoming increasingly popular.
Therefore, graduates must have expertise or at least knowledge in the field of digital technology
and learn to master the field of information and digital technology to be able to compete in
Industry 4.0, known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. As a result, these prospective graduates
will have an easier time finding job opportunities being absorbed into the world of digital
technology jobs and adapting to a more realistic work environment. Collaboration between the
government and higher education in developing and providing learning facilities in the field of
digital technology to prospective graduates in order to facilitate their access to employment
opportunities can help to reduce the rate of increase in graduate unemployment (Efendee &
Othman, 2019).
Well-Equip with Competency Skills
As we all know, in this K-economy era, competition for jobs among graduates is fierce (Hashim,
Chang & Abd. Rahman, 2016). This is because local companies or businesses will seek to hire
employees who are of highest quality. As a result, this competition for jobs has resulted in
many graduates not getting the job offers they want. Competence means the ability or skills
that a person possesses in performing a task in a specific field. Competence is another common
method for determining a person’s level of ability. Competence also refers to a person’s ability
to run or perform a job efficiently. As we frequently hear, private companies will determine
their organisation’s competitiveness based on the capabilities of their human resources, i.e.,
their employees. Similar to the public sector, this sector requires employees with the necessary
level of competence in the areas of services required. For example, in the fields of accounting
and security, those who are hired are of course experts in the field who have been trained.
Furthermore, competence refers to the knowledge and skills required to complete a task.
However, the definition of this competency has undergone a change in meaning as well as
approach to ensure its effectiveness and excellence of individuals as well as organisations.
Beaumont, Gedye & Richardson (2016) define competence as “an underlying characteristic of
a person” that can be seen in the form of “self-image, traits, motives and social roles” as well
as skills and knowledge that have a direct impact on the performance of the work produced.
Lack of competency skills among graduates has led to an increasing unemployment rate among
graduates. Therefore, the government must ensure that every prospective graduate has
competency skills in their field of study during their sessions at HEI or PHEI, so that when they
enter the workforce, they can compete with others for jobs in their field of study (Ali et al,
2018).
Research Methodology
A qualitative approach is implemented to unravel the general interpretation of positive values,
passion and identity when university graduates are trapped in the dilemma of unemployment
without a job. The discussion approach of this paper is highlighted by presenting an
examination of the study’s findings through the selection of secondary sources by examining
the pattern of graduates adapting to the new norms. The focus of the discussion is on the study’s
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Volume:6 Issues: 37 [November, 2021] Special Issues pp. 1 - 21]
International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Business (IJAFB)
eISSN: 0128-1844
Journal website: www.ijafb.com
findings which show the situation of graduates attempting to understand the rhythm and be
more open to accepting this situation when government initiatives, HEIs and stakeholders
mobilise to collaborate in order to break the cycle of graduate unemployment. At the same time,
the discussion demonstrated the government’s critical efforts to not lose sight of their
responsibility and trust in assisting in easing the burden of the people despite the government’s
difficulties in stabilising the economy, particularly for young people looking for work.
Discussion
Among the issues that underlie the discussion of this paper are:
A. Emphasis on the university to expose students to have more than one skill through
entrepreneurship education
Entrepreneurship education is critical in order to achieve a vibrant socioeconomic environment
that leads to significant development (Efendee & Othman, 2019). According to Syed Sahil &
Hassan (2018), entrepreneurship education can provide graduates with the opportunity to
discover their natural talents. According to their findings, a large number of students at public
universities choose entrepreneurship as a future career aspiration. According to Efendee &
Othman (2019) research, formal entrepreneurship education in HEI has a significant impact on
their attitudes and proclivity to engage in this field. Furthermore, based on the data submitted
to the Companies Commission of Malaysia website since 2017, the number of registered
businesses and companies is growing as a result of increased exposure to digital influences such
as e-Commerce and ICT which are becoming more prevalent (Efendee & Othman, 2019). With
this influence, an increasing number of graduates and the younger generation are attempting to
become entrepreneurs because it can be used as a tool to promote their products and strengthen
entrepreneurship among graduates (Efendee & Othman, 2019).
(i) Soft skills as the foundation for economic revitalisation
Apart from the government’s role in holding an “Economic Regeneration Programme” aimed
at overcoming the unemployment crisis among graduates, there are other methods or measures
in overcoming such a crisis with an emphasis from the university on diversifying a student’s
skills (Othman, 2021). This is due to the fact that the emphasis will provide better space and
opportunities for prospective graduates to get a job later on. Among the skills that are
emphasised beside soft skills as a basis are foreign language skills, management skills,
entrepreneurial skills as well as ‘Information and Communication Technology’ or ICT and
technical skills. Outwardly, soft skills are fundamental and important to have because they are
a pre-existing skill that only needs to be polished by the master of the body. Syed Sahil &
Hassan (2018) stated that while soft skills are frequently used in our daily lives, most people
are unaware that we have practiced and applied those skills. Thus, this clearly shows that soft
skills are possessed and ingrained in all humans, regardless of age or gender.
However, the context in the workplace is different. This is because according to Fuentelsaz,
Juan & Javier (2018) these skills are highly emphasised by employers in the field of industry
and training programmes. Obviously, soft skills are the foundation and key for anyone seeking
a job or building a career. It follows that there are several elements in these soft skills that are
pillars in measuring the level of a person’s soft skills, particularly for students as prospective
graduates who are frequently used by researchers. The elements are communication skills,
teamwork skills, critical thinking and problem solving, professional ethics and morals as well
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as leadership skills. Therefore, these communication skills refer to the use of effective and
efficient communication methods.
According to Fikri & Mujaheed (2018), communication is a process of transmitting information
from one source to another involving humans through interaction for situation sharing or
through the context of conversation, as well as a process that can be expected based on messages
sent or received. So, as a prospective graduate, it is critical to understand and apply the use of
effective communication. This is because, as previously stated, communication is a method of
transferring resources between people through interaction in order to effectively share situations
and information. As a result, if communication skills are not properly applied, prospective
graduates will find it difficult to obtain jobs, and thus they end up unemployed. Furthermore,
prospective graduates are likely to be familiar with teamwork skills because they must have
gained experience through group collaboration in assignments or final year projects.
According to Khoshtinat (2011), there are two important aspects to forming a good team in an
organisation, namely forming a team in the proper manner and the need for an adequate
environment while performing work in a team. Therefore, there is no denying that when doing
teamwork, it is important to form a team in the proper manner without involving sentiments or
sensitive issues such as selecting group members solely based on race, religion and skin colour
without considering each individual’s abilities. Clearly, making a rational selection and group
formation is important for prospective graduates to use in order to attract the interest of
employers, particularly in providing job offers to prospective graduates. It follows that one of
the elements of soft skill is the ability to think critically and solve problems.
According to Asonitou (2015), critical thinking is the process of interpreting and evaluating a
thing, information or argument obtained or observed. As a result, prospective graduates from
higher education institutions should be able to apply and use these skills to the fullest. This is
because it can instil confidence in prospective employers and add value to prospective
graduates, attracting interest and opening prospective employers’ eyes to take prospective
graduates as assets or human capital of quality and ability to solve problems. Therefore, it is
clear that prospective graduates should strive to hone and develop critical thinking and problem-
solving skills while studying in order to apply them later in the workplace. The next set of soft
skills that need to be possessed are leadership abilities, ethical practices and a high level of
professional morale. Therefore, it is critical for prospective graduates to have leadership
knowledge.
Fuentelsaz, Juan & Javier (2018) mentioned that these leadership skills can be developed when
an individual can perform the task as a group leader or as a person who leads well and in an
orderly manner. A clear example is through co-curricular activities. This is because leadership
skills can be developed through co-curricular activities that include activities or outdoor work
that require a leader from among the students to ensure the activity runs smoothly. As a result,
having these leadership skills should make it easier for prospective graduates to find work, as
they can help employers reduce their workload. Finally, the practice of high professional ethics
and morals refers to the prospective graduates themselves. This is because according to
Asonitou (2015), ethics is a character, behaviour and a set of moral principles that influence an
individual’s behaviour. Furthermore, he defines ethics as “a set of values, norms and moral
foundations that determine and differentiate whether something done is right or wrong, good or
bad.”
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Meanwhile, Syed Sahil & Hassan (2018) stated that good morality is “good behaviour that
includes customary values and aspirations that have been accepted in a society in determining
the lives of individuals and society.” As a result, prospective graduates who want to find work
and avoid being unemployed should apply and practise these ethics and morals in order to
inspire employers to hire such graduates. Ultimately, the university’s emphasis on soft skills
and its components will undoubtedly assist future graduates in preparing themselves to enter
the world of work and obtain job offers that are relevant to their field of study or outside of
their field of study.
(ii) Entrepreneurial skills with the existence of new opportunities for
entrepreneurs
The most recent advancements in digital technology have resulted in changes to existing
business models as well as new creations. Digital entrepreneurship has recently become a very
popular topic of discussion especially in light of the Covid-19 contagion that is afflicting all
countries around the world. In this regard, there have been many businesses that could not
operate physically such as shops and restaurants that had to close down. This has prompted
business owners to consider how to diversify their operations while also shifting the method of
interacting with customers through digital business. This is to comply with the government’s
order, namely Movement Control Order (MCO), which also aims to prevent Covid-19 from
spreading in Malaysia.
As we all know, digital business has existed since the 1990s when the internet was first used
commercially around the world (Abdul Wahab & Ahmad, 2017). In this case, the website which
initially showcased information has evolved into a business platform. The most recent
advancements in digital technology are transforming existing business models and new
creations, as well as introducing new products and services and increasing the efficiency of
business processes, all of which are making business more competitive. Digital
entrepreneurship refers to the creation of a new venture and transforming an existing business
by developing and using the latest digital technology. The transition of the existing economy
to a digital economy is essential to accelerate local and national economic growth.
In order to achieve this goal, the government has launched the National Economic Regeneration
Plan (PENJANA) which allocates RM700 million for the development of digital business
platforms through grants and loans to SME and mid-level companies to implement digital
technology in their operations and trade channels (Berita Harian, 2020b). By indirectly
focusing on increasing and stimulating the resilience of the country’s digital economy, the
government can assist people and businesses affected by Covid-19. Through the development
of this digital business, there will be growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as well as the
Malaysian economy (Berita Harian, 2020b). The digital economy's new wave has the potential
to create a diverse range of business and employment opportunities while also increasing
overall income, including in rural areas.
As a result, graduates from high school, college, or university, as well as those still in school,
no longer have to hope to become job seekers but can instead become successful individuals by
becoming creators or employers. An example of a new opportunity that has existed is delivery
or e-hailing which has becoming increasingly popular in today’s society. Furthermore, many
face-to-face online applications have been developed to help new traders or entrepreneurs
conduct business. In this case, there are entrepreneurs who create short video recordings related
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to the products they sell, which are then uploaded to applications such as YouTube, TikTok,
Instagram, Facebook and others. This will also generate income for the entrepreneur. In general,
there are numerous spaces and opportunities to be explored in the digital world. When business
and digital skills are combined, entrepreneurs will have more opportunities to explore. They
can work from home, shop online or conduct business through digital business platforms like
Shopee and Lazada (Berita Harian, 2020b). They can also venture out as a dropship which
means they will play an important role in promoting and ultimately selling. The fact is online
sales and purchases are in line with the new post-pandemic normal.
Undoubtedly, the Covid-19 pandemic disaster has hastened the presence of future jobs into the
present. The power of the internet, Facebook live and viral elements in the digital world can
now spark a new entrepreneurship phenomenon. Every entrepreneur should explore the digital
world in order to recover from the difficult moments of Covid-19. Entrepreneurs must change
their mindset to accept that the survival of a post-pandemic business does not require large sums
of money or even the presence of a store. According to the findings of previous study, 84% of
employers significantly accelerate work process digitisation, while another 50% accelerate
process automation. Even remote-controlled jobs such as working from anywhere are quickly
becoming a new habit with 84% adopting them (Berita Harian, 2020b). As the country
continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, many communities are focusing on jobs that
require strong humanitarian skills such as management and strategic planning in business.
New entrepreneurs will now have the opportunity to expand their business by working either
from home or store, which is known as working online. Hence, new job opportunities will
emerge in the future such as data analysts and data scientist, AI and machine learning
specialists, digital transformation specialists, robotic engineers, software and application
development, information security analysts and material internet experts. Furthermore, there
have been employment opportunities that have become a current trend in the food delivery,
food manufacturing sector and products that also provide delivery services during the spread of
Covid-19 (Bernama, 2021). Technology should be seen as having the potential to improve
human capabilities. In this regard, we have experienced three industrial revolutions with all of
these technologies transforming traditional employment patterns into the forms and even
creating new jobs.
In general, prospective graduates who have completed the study at the university will almost
certainly not be able to get a job directly unless it is by way of good luck. Those who do not
have luck getting a job will definitely do side jobs, whether trading, farming and others to earn
pocket money for themselves. As a result, entrepreneurial skills are among the most important
skills that every graduate must develop before graduating because they are also considered soft
skills. According to Talib, Yusof, Md Zan & Ngah (2017), entrepreneurship can be associated
with attitudes, values, knowledge and skills that enable a person to find, recognise and seize
opportunities which then can be translated into business strategies and profit-making efforts.
Therefore, a prospective graduate who wishes to expand his or her employment opportunities
must possess and apply entrepreneurial skills.
This is because potential graduates with such talents will undoubtedly be appealing to
employers because they can undoubtedly help and boost the employer's company's earnings.
As a result, a prospective graduate's entrepreneurial talents will almost surely ensure their career
if they choose to engage with others in the field of work they intend to enter. . However,
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prospective graduates can also become entrepreneurs with knowledge and entrepreneurial skills
which in turn help overcome graduate unemployment crisis by providing employment
opportunities and ultimately helping to boost economic activity in the country. Obviously, the
emphasis on entrepreneurial skills by the university in particular will help reduce the
unemployment rate among graduates later on.
(iii) Relevance of E-commerce with ICT and technical skills of graduates
E-commerce is a process of buying and selling product electronically through mobile
applications and the Internet. E-commerce is both retail and online shopping as well as
electronic transactions. E-commerce has been popular for the past few decades and in this way,
it is replacing traditional stores. Furthermore, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, many
people prefer to shop via e-commerce. E-commerce allows us to buy and sell products on a
global scale, 24 hours a day. Malaysia currently has the largest e-commerce market in ASEAN.
By 2025, the size of Malaysia’s e-commerce market is targeted at RM1.5 trillion compared to
RM460 million in 2018. In addition, by 2025, a target of 875,000 Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (SMEs) will use E-commerce compared to 489,958 at the end of 2020 (Hmetro,
2021).
In general, the E-commerce industry is one of the important services not only in Malaysia but
also in Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore
(Mohd Rawi, Omar & Shahkat Ali, 2012). According to a Malaysian web design agency, since
the pandemic spread, people have become more willing to shop online as well as demonstrate
lifestyle changes and daily routines such as working from home and exploring new interest
while living at home which provide greater opportunities for the E-commerce industry trade on
a global scale. Now, with higher demand on online purchases, more consumers are expecting
smooth delivery of purchased items. Overall, the Covid-19 outbreak has opened up
opportunities for the E-commerce industry to grow as it has become the primary choice of
consumers during these trying times.
The university places a strong emphasis on ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
and technical skills. As a result, these skills are among the most influential skills that employers
are looking for in employees, particularly among prospective graduates. This is because with
the passage of time, ICT and technical skills are becoming more highly valued in this era of
globalisation. Therefore, in order to compete for a job as a prospective graduate, it is critical
to prepare yourself and have a high level of knowledge in using ICT and technical software in
addition to high academic results and receiving a Diploma or Degree. Abdul Wahab & Ahmad
(2017) define information technology as any method used to transfer, disseminate and display
information. Information Technology or IT and Information and Communication Technology
or ICT is the technology required in data processing (Abdul Wahab & Ahmad, 2017). However,
the title's scope is extremely broad in terms of information management and processing in
general. As a result, computers and software are used precisely and simply to modify, store,
protect, process, transfer, view, and retrieve data regardless of location or time.
Based on this concept, a prospective graduate should be able to use software on a computer or
laptop to do work more efficiently and quickly, thus increasing added value in themselves and
opening greater opportunities in finding a job. Obviously, the availability of ICT skills will
definitely be an advantage to prospective graduates in finding a good job. Apart from that,
prospective graduates must also possess technical skills. In general, technical skills are the
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abilities and knowledge required to perform certain tasks. Therefore, these skills are frequently
associated with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) which necessitates specific
processes and work paths. As a result, in these technical skills it is important for prospective
graduates to be able to perform data analysis and interpretation in a work organisation
(Fuentelsaz, Juan & Javier, 2018). For example, analysing graphs, compiling statistics,
performing calculations and more according to the scope of work done. So, high technical
skills will definitely attract employers to provide job offers to such prospective graduates.
In short, prospective graduates with good and high ICT and technical skills will almost certainly
find it easy to find work because such skills are critical in the pursuit of modernity in this era
of globalisation. Therefore, it can be concluded that with an emphasis on each of these skills,
namely soft skills, foreign language skills, management skills, entrepreneurial skills as well as
ICT and technical skills, the university will undoubtedly be able to provide competitive, quality
graduates and obtain a place in the job market, which could help the government address the
graduate unemployment crisis in the coming years.
B. Collaborative Cooperation and Industry Commitment
The issue of student unemployment in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is a point of
contention in the community at the moment. This is because the unemployment rate for these
graduates is increasing, even more so now that the world is grappling with the Covid-19
pandemic. Malaysia's unemployment rate increased by 3.9 percent to 610,500 people in March
2020, up from 521,300 people in 2019 (Berita Harian, 2020c). The figure is expected to rise in
the coming year as the Covid-19 pandemic prevents the opening of economic sectors capable
of attracting job-seeking graduates. Consequently, of the overall increase in unemployment, it
was found that the graduate rate also contributed to the increase, which was 29.3 percent (Berita
Harian, 2020c). Furthermore, in an effort to address this issue, the Ministry of Education has
implemented some of the best alternatives to reduce unemployment rates by enlisting industry
cooperation.
The participation of industry in the development of the national education system is very
important. This is due to the fact that industry’s involvement in education is especially
important in improving the marketability of students or graduates, as well as curriculum
development at the university level. Therefore, this matter needs to be given more attention in
order to further increase the marketability of graduates as well as the availability of work for
graduates. The globalisation of the world forces local HEIs to produce highly skilled, expert
and knowledgeable students in order to compete for employment in this demanding world
(Othman, 2021). The production of quality workers is an important focus of the country in
leading to the country’s development and progress, particularly in achieving the vision that has
been set. Thus, one of the most effective ways to produce quality graduates with high
marketability is to establish strategic partnership with industry (Yusoff, Othman, Mohd Shah,
Esa, Abang Muis, Marinsah & Ramlie, 2021b).
Collaboration with this industry is expected to provide opportunities for graduates to get
employment within six months of graduating from university (Awasthy, Flint, Sankarnarayama,
& Jones, 2020). In this case, having a higher degree certificate alone does not necessarily
guarantee the future of graduates in finding employment opportunities. This is because in this
era, a person must acquire a more open and up-to-date knowledge, experience, have soft skills
and be more positive to prepare themselves before entering the world of more challenging
careers later. Among the methods used is to involve the industry in HEIs such as their
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involvement in the formulation of HEIs curriculum. In addition, the introduction to
programmes from industry cooperation is also a method carried out to increase the marketability
of graduates. The last method is to introduce the industrial training policy to the graduates.
(i) Involvement of industry in HEIs
A group of organisations that have engaged in social or economic activities is referred to as an
industry. Meanwhile, the term ‘industry’ also refers to individuals or firms involved in a
production activity and provision of services. Industry has a role in improving the knowledge
and practical skills of students which in turn is able to bridge the gap between theoretical and
practical knowledge (Othman, 2021). The emphasis on involving the industry in institutions of
higher learning has been emphasised over the past few years. This involvement has resulted in
various programmes being conducted by higher institutions in collaboration with the industry.
Today, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has emphasised the importance of the
university in bringing industry figures to teach all students in the classroom (Yahaya & Seman,
2019). This is because the party or instructor from this industry is capable of advising students
on the field within the industry.
Although the industry's teaching staff lacks a higher education certificate, they can share their
experiences with students, allowing students' minds and hearts to be more receptive to engaging
in fields provided by the industry. Not only that, but due to the industry experience of the
teaching staff, university lecturers have gained a new perspective on what is happening in the
industry (Yahaya & Seman, 2019). For example, issues and problems that arise related to the
industry include technology and so on. Apart from the learning and teaching process carried
out by the industry to university students, there is also a method that can be carried out by HEIs
in addressing the problem of rising unemployment today. Among the methods is the
university’s open attitude toward involving industry in the development of the university
curriculum (Othman, 2021). In particular, while the curriculum was being drafted, consultation
with the industry was also taking place which means that a panel of industry representatives
gave their opinions and viewed the courses offered by the university. This is because the
industry does not want a course offered by the university that is based solely on theory.
(ii) CEO@Faculty Programme
Graduate unemployment is now on the rise, especially as our world is being hit by the Covid-
19 pandemic. As a result of the collaboration of the industry and the university, several
programmes that have been successfully implemented in order to increase the marketability of
graduates have emerged. The CEO@Faculty Programme is one of the successful university-
industry collaboration programmes (Azmi, Wan Fakhruddin, Che Me, Mohd Yusof, Wan
Ismail, Abal Abas, Mohd Abbas, Ahmad Sabri & Ya’acob, 2021). The CEO@Faculty
Programme is an ongoing method conducted by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to
provide early exposure to university students in the real world of work. In this case, the
exposure provided is through lecture sessions, invitational lectures, expert panel discussions as
well as co-teaching conducted by the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) or leading industry figures
(Rybnicek & Konigsgruber, 2019).
The industry figures refer to those who have been invited to co-teach and come from a variety
of backgrounds. Apart from that, the CEO@Faculty Programme is part of the Malaysian
Education Development Plan’s Leap 2 initiative, namely Talent Excellence (MOE. 2017). This
has demonstrated that the quality of Malaysian HEIs and the Malaysian Higher Education
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system will improve if the academic community excels. The academic community consists of
researchers, educators, professional practitioners and support staff. In this regard, Leap 2 in
this development plan has focused on improving the quality and diversity of talent in the
education system in order to ensure that this group becomes more “Relevant, Referred and
Respected”, known as 3R (Rybnicek & Konigsgruber, 2019).
The collaboration between universities and industry is an effort undertaken to address the
problem of rising graduate unemployment. Not only that, but complex technological and social
problems can also be addressed through this collaboration. As a result, the CEO@Faculty
Programme approach has involved nearly 64 CEOs (in 2016) who are competent in providing
guidance to students about the real world of work, thereby increasing graduates’ marketability
(UMP, 2016). For example, University Malaysia Pahang (UMP) is one of the universities that
is no exception in benefiting from this programme. One of the CEOs working with UMP is
Motorola Solutions (M) Sdn. Bhd which has been recognised as ‘The Most Dedicated CEO’ by
the MOHE as a result of the target meeting hours exceeding the target set for him (UMP, 2016).
The industry’s cooperation has demonstrated that this cooperation is a solution to the problems
that arise with regard to graduates. The proof is that through the CEO@Faculty Programme,
well-known industry figures have opened the minds of students, increasing the marketability of
graduates.
(iii) 2u2i Programme
The 2u2i programme is a joint venture programme that has been carried out by the university
and the industry in increasing the marketability of students and reducing the rising
unemployment rate of graduates. The 2u2i Programme has been defined as the Two Universities
+ 2 Industries Programme (2u2i) and has been conducted in several public universities in
Malaysia (Berita Harian, 2016b). 2u2i is a job-based learning programme that provides
students with a basic knowledge of the industry throughout their studies. In this case, students
will spend two years at university studying and focusing solely on theoretical aspects.
Meanwhile, the next two years will be spent in the industry where students will continue to
learn while gaining work experience (Awasthy et al., 2020). The industry is also involved in
the curriculum design for this programme, ensuring that the types of courses offered, learning
methods and delivery are relevant and appropriate to the industry field that graduates will
choose after graduation.
The goal of this 2u2i/3u1i Programme is to cultivate students’ entrepreneurial spirit through
academic and industry collaboration through a Work-based Learning Afterschool delivery
approach (MOE, 2020b). This 2u2i or 3u1i programme is an initiative that has been taken
through the Malaysian Education Development Plan under Leap 1 which aims to produce
talented, skilled and knowledgeable graduates who are prepared to face the challenges of the
21st century (MOE, 2020b). Furthermore, the combination of academic learning and real-world
learning in the workplace provided by this programme can improve experiential learning and
provide opportunities for students to earn money while learning (Berita Harian, 2016b).
Additionally, graduates of this programme will gain more relevant industry experience in their
chosen field of study. As a result, graduates' attributes can be enhanced through active and
constructive experience, particularly in the areas of self-confidence, innovation, and
professionalism. Hence, this programme can help graduates improve their functional skills such
as teamwork, social skills, emotional intelligence, and negotiation abilities (MOE, 2020b). In
short, the 2u2i/3u1i Programme, which is the result of collaboration between universities and
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industries, can produce graduates who are more sensitive and prepared to face real-world job
challenges in the future.
(iv) Basic Industrial Training (Practical Training)
The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has made numerous efforts to produce quality
graduates who can meet market needs and assist graduates in obtaining jobs, one of which is
through industrial training policies. Industrial training is defined as the placement of students
in an organisation to receive supervised practical training in a specific industry, either locally
or internationally. Students will undertake this practical training within the stipulated time
frame and after that they will be awarded a Certificate, Diploma or Undergraduate Degree
(Muhammad Jamil, Othman, Abdul Rahman, Faizal Mohamed & Zainuddin, 2016). MOHE
has also implemented a compulsory industrial training programme for graduates within a period
of four months or six months. In addition, according to certain courses, industrial training
programmes have been made mandatory for the purpose of graduation and as a result must be
given credit hours in accordance with the Malaysian Qualifications Framework Standards
(MQF).
Graduates who participate in this industrial training will be given credit hours, such as not less
than two credit hours or more than 12 credit hours (Muhammad Jamil et al., 2016). Furthermore,
this industrial training programme is designed to provide students with opportunities to gain
experience in related organisations or companies in line with the desire to produce skilled
graduates and experts in a variety of fields to meet the country’s current needs. During the
training, students will be exposed to the real world of work, as well as to the most recent
technology and market knowledge, as well as gain practical experience in their respective fields
of specialisation (Bernama, 2021b). As a result of this situation, students will strive to apply
what they have learned in the classroom to solve problems in the workplace. Apart from that,
industrial training is also an opportunity for students or graduates to demonstrate their talents
and abilities in order to attract companies to hire them after graduation (Awasthy et al., 2020).
In addition, students' required skills can be enhanced and further developed through this training
particularly when guided and trained by industry professionals. This industrial training
programme is not limited to Malaysian graduates but also includes international students
enrolled in Malaysian higher education institutions (Bernama, 2021b). In short, the industrial
training programme is one of the initiatives that have been taken to reduce the unemployment
crisis among graduates. Therefore, this industrial training programme is mandatory for all
students in a particular field at all levels of higher education in order to be competitive with
other individuals in choosing employment opportunities. Hence, with all the experience and
knowledge and skills gained, students are better prepared to take on challenges in the world of
work that they will be involved in later.
Concluding thoughts
In conclusion, this study seeks to understand how the entrepreneurship education literacy in the
digital transformation phase benefits graduates of the Covid-19 post-pandemic, particularly
when faced with an unemployment crisis. In general, it is undeniable that the Covid-19
pandemic has had a tremendously negative impact not only in Malaysia but in all countries in
the world. In the early stages of acceptance, the majority of citizens are still trying to understand
what is going on and to comprehend the level of seriousness of this pandemic. This is due to
the fact that while the country last experienced such a crisis in 2009, the country was able to
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deal with it in a relatively short period of time. However, this time around it was a very different
situation due to the limited movement of the people and the level of uncertainty regarding the
immediate future. Nonetheless, people were able to adapt to the situation by establishing new
norms. They have started to understand the rhythm and are more willing to accept the situation.
Despite the government’s difficulties in stabilising the economy, the government has not
forgotten its responsibility and trust in assisting in easing the burden of the people. The
government is aware that such a pandemic will have an effect on the country’s economy,
causing it to falter. If the economy suffers, it will affect everyone, especially the youth who are
looking for jobs. In the context of this paper’s discussion, the understanding gained from
political education among university graduates involved in this study confirms that the country
is capable of producing a young generation capable of facing the turmoil of economic insecurity
maturely and resolving increasingly difficult national challenges in line with globalisation.
Graduates are expected to be realistic even if they have completed their field of study at both
the undergraduate and postgraduate levels but have to be unemployed for a long time and
continue to look for work.
The current issue is the recent increase in the unemployment rate among local graduates which
is not to be taken lightly. This is due to the fact that this matter continues to increase every year
in Malaysia and other countries. This is not only detrimental to the graduates, but also to their
families as well as the educational institutions. In fact, it also causes many graduates who have
great potential in the field in which they are involved to be unable to develop their talent, which
will be rendered useless if the talent is unable to be utilised due to the country’s limited job
opportunities. Not to mention that an increase in unemployment among local graduates will
cripple the country’s economy because these human capitals will be unable to contribute to
Malaysia in the fields in which they are involved at university. Hence, the government and
educational institutions collaborate to produce realistic students who can adapt to whatever type
of job they are involved in.
It should also be remembered that the key to a person’s success is in their own hands and
graduates must cultivate the mindset known as positive thinking; in other words, right thinking
will determine right action. It means that graduates should not give up easily in finding a job
and not be too selective in entering the field of employment. This is because choosing a job
will only lead to an increase in the unemployment rate among graduates. Therefore, graduates
must be realistic before entering the workforce. For example, having mastery of various types
of languages, mastering the field of digital technology knowledge, having competence skills as
well as being involved in generating upskilling and reskilling. The issue of rising graduate
unemployment can be reduced rather than continuing to rise year after year. This is because if
the unemployment rate among graduates continues to rise every year, it will cause a slew of
problems in the job market and complicate the country’s current relatively modest economic
performance.
Economic instability exacerbates the difficulty of avoiding and reducing unemployment among
graduates. Graduates can benefit to some extent from the introduction of this excellent value
plan. In addition to the proposal of monetary grants, programmes to assist graduates who lack
work experience in honing their skills is also suggested. We should applaud the government's
efforts to aid the country's recovery and economic growth. Despite the impossibility of reviving
the economy, the government continues to seek proactive solutions by introducing various
alternatives. In that context, these realistic graduates are critical for reducing the annual increase
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in unemployment among graduates of HEIs and PHEI. Furthermore, the students’ talents and
fields learned during their previous studies were not wasted and did not interfere with their time
spent studying at the HEI and PHEI.
In addition to what they learn, it can be used to glorify the country’s name, develop the country’s
economy and promote national progress. It is especially worth noting that the public or private
sectors do not need to attract workers from other countries to work in Malaysia, which would
incur enormous and unnecessary costs when the country’s graduates have realistic skills. This
will also be able to produce a new generation that is more knowledgeable and capable of
elevating Malaysia’s name to a global level. Therefore, the government and higher education
must play an important role in ensuring that prospective graduates possess realistic skills and
extensive knowledge. Concerning the collaboration between Higher Education Institutions
(HEI) and industry, graduates have reaped numerous benefits particularly in overcoming
Malaysia’s graduate unemployment crisis.
In this regard, the Ministry of Higher Education has also taken the initiative to enlist the
participation of more industry figures in efforts to strengthen national education. This is due to
the fact that in this borderless world, human resources are recognised as the most important
assets for generating national development. The development of quality human resources is
critical to a country’s success because these are individuals who will contribute to increase
productivity and will be able to elevate the country’s name to a higher level. Therefore, as the
country undergoes current changes, the university and industry must collaborate to realise the
country’s noble aspirations of increasing employment opportunities and graduate marketability
in order to produce graduates who can compete to bring the country’s name to the global stage.
Acknowledgement
This article is part of the UMS collaborative publishing grant sponsorship funded by Global
Academic Excellence (GAE). The authors would like to express their deepest heartfelt
appreciation to Global Academic Excellence (GAE) for providing funding this publication.
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