Fostering graduate employability in Malaysia - bonding both industry and academia with a proper monitoring system

Abstract

Linking between industry and academia is globally recognized as beneficial connection for both the parties. The role of university intended more towards producing right human capital as per the demands of the industry. However, this process is complete only with input of industry related to skill development and R&D activities performed by the universities. Nevertheless, this dependency is prone to raise issues for both the entities if the relationship is not checked and balanced from time to time through a proper monitoring system. This has direct ramifications on unemployment rate in general and youth/graduate unemployment rate in particular. This research identifies the current practices of university-industry relationship in Malaysian perspective and its effects on youth employability in the country. The study used qualitative methodology to collect primary data from interview sessions with veteran academicians and industrialists based on the significance of monitoring body to strategically maintain the link between industry and university. The findings from the literature review as well as interview sessions have been found generously supportive to the instalment of a monitoring system on permanent basis. This measure is seemed most effective in reducing the rising youth unemployment rate in Malaysia.