national industry dialogue 2009 - Jabatan Pengajian Politeknik

Response: Y. Bhg. Dato’ Haji Imran
It is a growing trend that students are reluctant to leave their jobs once they start working as
they are afraid it might be difficult to find another job should they continue to further their
studies. The present economic crisis may be another contributing factor.
Question 7 : Mr Mohamd Fauzi Hassan (Magnificient Diagraph Sdn Bhd - Carrefour M’sia)
How do we build resilience in our graduates especially in the retail industry? They experience a
culture shock as facing customers puts them under pressure. Expectations of the company are
very high in terms customers satisfaction and it becomes a deterrent for them to remain in the
jobs. It may be good to catch them young by incorporating certain elements in the curriculum
while they are studying in building up their resilience.
Response: Chairman
The comments are noted. MoHE is trying very hard to tackle this issue.
Response: Tuan Haji Shamsuddin
We should be more innovative in running our programmes. For example, in developed
countries, the hotel and catering programmes, an actual hotel is used as the training ground
instead of using classrooms. This will reduce the culture shock in the transition from school to
work. This concept can be replicated for other industries. Investment may be high but as
charges will have to be less than the norm but should still be self-sustaining. Quality assurance
of course must be maintained and business professionally carried out.
Response: Chairman
Real work laboratories are worthwhile to look into especially best practices and new teaching
technologies in developed countries.
Question 8 : Mr Mahathir Mansor – Faber Group Berhad
Faber is a partner in the workplace based learning programme and find the programme have
many benefits as the students are in the actual working environment, have confidence after the
programme and are industry ready. Faber would like to suggest that the students should
undergo their one year stint in the industry right at the end of the programme so as to enable the
industry to directly absorb these students upon graduation.
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