Information Technology Graduate Employability Enhancement Model: Case Study in the Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Abstract

Malaysia Higher Education Institutes (HEI) have continuously designed strategies to ensure the employability of the Malaysian universities graduates, particularly in the field of Information Technology (IT). For example, Faculty of Information Science and Technology (FTSM) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has established the Industry and Professional Development Unit (IPDU) under the FTSM Industry and Community Partnerships (HEJIM) as an initiative to improve the employability and quality of its graduates. To realise the strategy, a study through Action Research approach has been carried out to develop a Graduate Employability enhanceMent (GEM) Model. The model forms a plan to produce knowledgeable, competent and industry-ready FTSM graduates. GEM Model includes GEM programme track to improve the undergraduate study system based on the motto “GEM programme nurtures nations great IT Professionals”. GEM programme provides a platform for industry and services to channel their latest technology and best professional practices. GEM Model is validated through the implementation FTSM Summer School in collaboration with International Business Machine (IBM). The analysis findings showed that majority of the participants have successfully secured IT professional jobs within two months of completing the programme. The implementation of GEM program has also added value to two FTSM undergraduate courses through the latest technologies module content, hence validates that GEM Model enhances the employability of IT graduates, particularly in FTSM .