PUTRAJAYA, April 13 (Bernama) -- Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has been recognised as a leader in graduate employability, with 18 of its academic programmes receiving the highest 6-Star Employer Choice rating in the Talentbank Graduate Employability Index.
The recognition is based on a national assessment involving feedback and validation from more than 1,200 employers nationwide.
UPM deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof Dr Arifin Abdu said the recognition reflects the university’s effective approach in ensuring its graduates are not only academically strong but also aligned with industry needs.
“This recognition is a direct reflection of employers’ confidence in the quality of UPM graduates. We continuously ensure that our curriculum, industrial training and student development are aligned with real market demands,” he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Graduate Employability (CEM), Associate Prof Dr Hizmawati Madzin, said strong industry collaboration was a key factor behind the achievement.
“The main strength of UPM lies in its close collaboration with industry. Through a data-driven approach and employer validation, we ensure that every academic programme produces graduates who are trusted and sought after by the market,” she said.
She added that the 6-star rating across multiple disciplines demonstrates that the university’s graduate employability is not limited to specific fields but is instead comprehensive and consistent.
According to Talentbank, employers’ high level of confidence in UPM graduates stems from the alignment between academic curricula and actual industry needs, including professional skills, work discipline and adaptability in the workplace.
A total of 18 programmes received the 6-Star Employer Choice rating, placing them among the top five nationally.
Among the fields involved are aerospace and aeronautics, agriculture, architecture, biotechnology, business management, chemical engineering, communication and broadcasting, computer science and information technology, as well as food science.
UPM also ranked first among public universities in agriculture, economics and food science, and has maintained the top position in food science for five consecutive years.
-- BERNAMA
