By Asmahanim Amir
Pix  Shahiddan Saidi

BANGI,  9 May 2016 – Students of The National University of Malaysia (UKM) have to apply for work while still in the final semester to avoid being idle after graduation, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Dato’ Razali Ibrahim.

He said the final year students should get the support of the entire campus to find work as early as possible to avoid being unemployed after graduation.

“We have to make sure that when they are in their final semester in any field, they not only think of passing exams  but they need to think about work,” he told reporters after opening the 2016 UKM Career and Entrepreneurship Expo Fair  hosted by the Ibu Zain residential college aided by several UKM institutes.

He said job and entrepreneurship fairs and are the best way to help final year  students find occupations which commensurate with their qualifications.

He explained it’s not impossible for many students who have skills to secure employment before completing their studies.

Meanwhile, Director General of the career expo , Justin Tan Wei Jin said that apart from bringing potential employers to help students find jobs, the carnival also presents the challenge of getting out of one’s comfort zone.

Tan regards entrepreneurial skills as very important today because most companies require staff who have some business acumen.

According to him the goal of organising such a programme is to instil awareness that the marketability of graduates is at an unsatisfactory level.

More than 30 companies took part in the jobs fair, which offered vacancies compatible with the students’ qualifications.

Also present was Deputy Vice Chancellor of Student and Alumni Affairs, Prof Dato’ Dr Noor Aziah Mohd Awal.