The Role of University Training in Addressing Challenges in International Employment
Authors
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Zsuzsa Béda
AffiliationZsuzsa Béda is the head of the internationalization processes at the University of Nyíregyháza. Her work includes coordinating international mobility programs and internships, and in recent years she has played an important role in developing the university's internationalization strategy and launching international training courses relevant to the global education market. She is a delegated member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Hungarian Rectors' Conference. She has a degree in HR consulting and previously worked as a professional consultant in several international higher education and workforce development projects.
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Mohammed Kaosar
AffiliationMohammed Kaosar, a student at UNIKL University in Kuala Lumpur, participated in several research projects examining the international employment of graduates. He is currently a recognized international expert in the education sector and has been running a successful international career consultancy and recruitment firm in the Malaysian capital for over 10 years, focusing primarily on the labour market needs and employment challenges of Southeast Asia. He believes that understanding market needs is essential to driving positive and lasting change in education.
Abstract
The study investigates the impact of higher education on preparing Malaysian students for employment on a global scale, emphasizing the need for academic curricula to align with global labor market needs. Using a systematic literature review protocol, studies were included based on their relevance, currency and academic impact. This research draws upon existing work with respect to professions, the labour market, higher education policy, and global skills needs. It further presents a snapshot overview of Malaysia’s tertiary education system, comprising of the three main types of tertiary institutions (public institutions, private institution, religions owned institutions, foundation charted institutions) highlighting their uniqueness in preparing students for international careers. Using a quantitative methodology, we surveyed 400 students at 20 universities (10 public and 10 private), achieving a decent representation in terms of institutional diversity. The criteria for selection included selection based on rankings of the institutions, the diversity of academic programs, and employment rates of graduates. The key areas of analysis included curriculum relevance, development of soft skills, global exposure, and challenges in international employment. Results show that although institutions of higher education have embraced global ideas, issues like language obstacles, lack of career guidance, and monetary limitations continue to exist. Moreover, the religious and cultural considerations inform curricular content and influence students' perception of employability, especially in religious institutions. The methodological strengths and limitations are further discussed, highlighting the importance of broader sample representation and longitudinal studies to follow-up on employment outcomes. It also concludes with recommendations for enhanced curriculum, stronger links between universities and industry, and improved support services for students to improve employability prospects worldwide.
Keywords:
International Employment, University Training, Malaysia, Global Readiness, Student PerceptionsCitation data from Crossref and Scopus
