JOHOR BARU: The Higher Education Ministry is looking into enhancing the CEO Faculty Programme, to produce more ‘industry-ready’ graduates.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Idrus Jusoh said currently, there are 72 chief executives from local and international companies who have taken part in the programme, where they are appointed as adjunct professors at local public universities.
“This programme exposures students and lecturers about the industry’s requirements. Among the CEOs who have participated in the programme were Tan Sri Tony Fernandes from AirAsia and Datuk Seri Azman Mokhtar from Khazanah Nasional," said Idris.
He said so far, the relevant industry has also provided positive feedback about the programme.
“They are happy with the ministry's efforts. What we need now is to intensify the efforts, for example by having more lecturers spending their sabbatical with the industry players.
“We hope the collaboration will result in new curriculum that is relevant to the industry," said Idris, after attending the 'University-Industry Dialogue' for the Southern Region at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) here.
Also present were UTM vice chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Wahid Omar and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia vice chancellor Prof Dr Wahid Razzaly.
Idris also said that the employability of Malaysian graduates has improved, especially in term of English language proficiency.
“With programmes like the CEO Faculty Programme, the employability of our graduates are getting better.
“On the issue of English language, we have also launched the Malaysia English Assessment (MEA), which is in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR),
“This means that the benchmark for English in Malaysia is on par with those in Europe.” said Idris.