University rankings pointless if graduates lack soft skills, say employers

 

The MEF said although several Malaysian universities, including Universiti Malaya, rose in global rankings, many showed a decline in the area of employer recognition.

PETALING JAYA: Despite several Malaysian universities rising in rank in recent international surveys, the perennial mismatch between graduates and jobs looks set to continue with local graduates still lacking many soft skills, according to the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF).

“While university rankings may open doors for better hiring opportunities, the hiring of graduates depends more on their ability to multitask, take on responsibilities and apply practical and soft skills.

“Based on the MEF Salary Survey for Executives 2021, one-third of respondent companies expect newly hired graduates to multitask and work effectively in high-performing teams.

“Additionally, 29% of companies seek graduates who demonstrate engagement and a willingness to take on extra responsibilities, while 28.5% value the ability of graduates to complete tasks and apply soft skills,” MEF president Syed Hussain Syed Husman told FMT.

Recently, FMT reported that several Malaysian universities had risen in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Universiti Malaya, the only Malaysian university in the global top 100, climbed five spots from last year to reach 60th place.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia also made significant progress, leaping 21 places to 138th spot, followed by Universiti Sains Malaysia (146), Universiti Putra Malaysia (148), and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (181).

However, QS noted that 22 out of 26 Malaysian universities saw their rankings drop in the area of employer recognition.

Syed Hussain said employers often seek evidence of practical experience, such as portfolios, project work or internships as proof of a candidate’s abilities, adding that they increasingly recognise that formal education does not necessarily translate to proficiency in practical skills.

“The rise of bootcamps, online courses and certifications has made it possible for individuals to gain specific job-relevant skills outside traditional educational pathways.

“If graduates take the initiative to learn web development, for example, through online courses, tutorials or projects, they will have a significant edge over those who do not,” he said.

Meanwhile, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) president Soh Thian Lai said while Malaysian university graduates were generally well-prepared in academic knowledge and technical skills, there were significant gaps in practical experience and soft skills.

“Local university graduates often have strong technical knowledge and theoretical understanding of their subjects but lack practical experience and industry readiness.

“They are often seen as hardworking and diligent, with a positive attitude towards learning and improvement. They tend to have good cultural adaptability and work well in diverse teams but lack soft skills, critical thinking and innovativeness,” he said.

To address this issue, he suggested that universities work more with industry to ensure curriculum relevance, and increase the duration and quality of internships.

He added that university curriculums should focus more on communication, teamwork, problem-solving skills and language proficiency, while offering more opportunities for leadership and extracurricular involvement. - FMT