Industry-higher Education Institution Collaboration Must Be Strengthened To Produce Skilled Graduates - Zambry

SEPANG, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- Closer collaboration between higher education institutions (IPTs) and industry must be strengthened to ensure graduates acquire the skills and competencies needed to meet the demands of an evolving job market shaped by rapid technological advancements.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said industry involvement should go beyond providing industrial training placements and begin at the curriculum development stage, including the setting of learning outcomes and the planning of teaching methodologies.

“The industry understands changes in customer needs, technology, work processes, productivity and the skills required. Higher education institutions, meanwhile, possess academic expertise, research capacity, learning facilities and the ability to develop talent over the long term.

“When these two strengths are combined, we are not merely preparing graduates for today’s job market. We are building the nation’s capacity to face jobs and industries that do not yet fully exist today,” he said at the MQA Industry Connect 2026 programme here today.

The text of the speech was read out by Higher Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Aminuddin Hassim.

Zambry said ties between higher education institutions and industry must evolve from occasional interactions into structured, continuous and outcome-oriented partnerships.

He said the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), automation and digitalisation, as well as the transition towards a green economy, was transforming the employment landscape and requiring a more dynamic approach to national talent development.

“We must shift from an educational approach focused solely on qualifications to one that also emphasises competencies, adaptability, values and continuous learning.

“This does not mean that universities should function solely as industrial training centres. Higher education serves a broader purpose: advancing knowledge, shaping thought, building character, broadening human horizons and contributing to the nation’s progress.

“Nevertheless, to ensure that knowledge remains relevant, ties with the professional world and society must be strengthened. This is where the industry plays a role that cannot be fulfilled by any other party,” he said.

He said areas for stronger collaboration included industry participation in curriculum development and review, expanded experiential learning opportunities, and the sharing of expertise between industry and academia.

He added that collaboration in research, development, and innovation should also be strengthened, alongside more flexible learning pathways, including micro-credentials.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) chief executive officer Prof Datuk Mohammad Shatar Sabran said the MQA Industry Connect 2026 programme brought together about 100 higher education institutions and 100 industry representatives to strengthen strategic ties between the two sectors.

He said the diverse backgrounds and expertise of the industry representatives reflected the breadth of the employment and skills ecosystem that needed to be considered in developing the country’s higher education sector.

Mohammad Shatar said industry participation demonstrated the sector’s commitment to serving as a strategic partner to higher education institutions, ensuring academic programmes remained relevant to changing job market demands and producing graduates equipped to meet real-world challenges.

“Higher education, the government and industry must work in tandem to develop talent, strengthen innovation and ensure that the knowledge acquired can be translated into tangible value and meaningful contributions.

As the agency responsible for quality assurance in the nation’s higher education, the MQA views this gathering as a strategic platform to foster mutual understanding, build trust and explore more structured forms of collaboration between higher education institutions and industry,” he said.

-- BERNAMA