By Zeti Farzana Alpikri
Pix Abdul Raai Osman

BANGI, 13 June, 2016 – Students of the  Faculty of Islamic Studies (FPI) at the National University of Malaysia (UKM) have to change their perceptions about their career targets after graduation.

Assistant Secretary for Administration and Diplomatic Officers (PTD) of the Public Services Commission, Mohd Azhar Ismail said students should think further than the scope of jobs limited only to religion.

“They must take up opportunities to apply for  job vacancies with their skills because government service is quite wide,” he said at the 2016 FPI Roadmap  Graduate Programme here, on 25 May.

He said the Islamic field is not only limited to the Department of Islamic Development in Malaysia (JAKIM), but graduates should apply for work in other fields of public service such as the  Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“Recruitment in the public service does not emphasise areas of study, but more emphasis on personality, attitude, skills and knowledge of individuals,” he explained.

Mohd Azhar said most graduates nowadays have good academic records, but poor in critical thinking, analysis, attitude and lack character.

“To get a job, they not only need excellent academic results, but skills and the ability to explore and procure information and use it correctly, are also very important,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the Head of the  Community and Industry Partnership Affairs at  FPI, Dr Haziyah Hussin said students don’t know that they can enter other disciplines  because they still have not received the full information about the career opportunities that can be pursued.

“FPI graduates can work in various fields such as Immigration, enforcement, Maritime and others. Alumni of FPI also work in the private sector in various posts, such as Corporate Relations Executive,” she said.

Dr Haziyah, who is Chairperson of the programme, expressed hope that the scheme can give exposures to the students about job prospects and how to navigate within the private sector.

For final year student Muhammad Hanafi Md Muidnudin, the programme was  very useful and interesting in that it encourages graduates to be more forward thinking

“This should have been done in the first year,” he said.

He also said he wants to go into TV production so that he can spread the message of Islam and become a lecturer after graduation.