MQA denies university courses fail to meet industry needs

Malaysia's Higher Education Accreditation Agency (MQA) has strongly denied allegations that local universities offer low-quality programs failing to meet industry demands. MQA Chief Executive Officer Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohammad Shatar Sabran asserted that programs accredited by MQA are of high quality and recognized internationally, facilitating further studies abroad.

"Our quality is accepted worldwide, which is why our approvals present no problem for graduates wishing to pursue further studies overseas," Shatar said. He emphasized that accusations of low educational quality in Malaysia are untrue. He further explained that MQA mandates industry input for all accredited programs, ensuring their relevance to the job market.

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Our quality is accepted worldwide, which is why our approvals present no problem for graduates wishing to pursue further studies overseas.

"If industry input is not included, they will not receive accreditation. So, in other words, all programs do involve industry participation," he stated. MQA aims to provide the public with accurate information to dispel fears fueled by misinformation about university education.

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If industry input is not included, they will not receive accreditation. So, in other words, all programs do involve industry participation.

However, Shatar advised students to enhance their personal capabilities in today's competitive job market. "Competition for jobs is extraordinary because there are too many smart people, so among the smart ones, they need to have more than the usual value." He suggested that mastering multiple languages, possessing critical thinking, and maintaining emotional stability are key differentiators for graduates.

Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ahmad Martadha Mohamed added that the university continuously improves its curriculum to align with industry needs, incorporating elements like artificial intelligence and seeking industry feedback thrice annually to ensure graduates remain relevant and employable.

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Competition for jobs is extraordinary because there are too many smart people, so among the smart ones, they need to have more than the usual value.