28/01/2026

WEDNESDAY | JAN 28, 2026

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Beyond the academic transcripts

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

‘Degrees are no longer guarantees’ PETALING JAYA: The rapid expansion of higher education in Malaysia has transformed employer expectations, with academic qualifications now seen as a basic entry ticket rather than a guarantee of a job, according to Universiti Malaysia Kelantan human resource expert Prof Dr Balakrishnan Parasuraman. Reflecting on the evolution of education and employment since the 1970s and 1980s, Balakrishnan noted that access to universities was once highly limited, with only a handful of public institutions available to students. “Today, we have more than 20 public universities, over 100 private universities and numerous university colleges, including foreign institutions. Because of this, having a degree – even a second-class upper – has become common. It is now only a ticket to apply for a job, not a guarantee of getting one.” He added that employers are increasingly prioritising graduates’ attitudes, behaviour and adaptability over academic results alone. “Companies want to see whether graduates are positive, adaptable and willing to work hard. “They ask: Are they ready to learn? Can they accept instructions? Can they work well with others?” To illustrate the shift, he recounted the case of an engineering graduate who secured a position at a multinational company within months of completing his degree in electronics and electrical engineering with a second-class upper. The graduate had actively participated in student societies, NGOs and supplementary human resource management courses. “When he was interviewed by senior engineers, they evaluated not just his technical knowledge but also his communication skills, behaviour and attitude. “He was willing to take on different roles, learn from senior engineers and adapt to the organisation’s needs. That is why he received a job offer on the same day.” Drawing on more than 33 years of experience as an academic, Balakrishnan observed a behavioural gap between high academic achievers and more well rounded graduates. “Some first-class graduates tend to be very proud and overly confident. “They feel they know everything and may struggle to follow instructions or accept criticism. This does not align with industry expectations.” He stressed that employers prefer graduates who are humble, respectful, disciplined and open to learning, particularly in multicultural and multinational work environments. “In the industry, punctuality, integrity, teamwork and the willingness to work long hours are critical. Graduates must learn to work with people from different backgrounds, races and nationalities.” Balakrishnan said academic excellence alone can limit a graduate’s employability. “Being an‘A student’in university does not necessarily mean you are an ‘A employee’. From an industry perspective, an‘A graduate’ is someone who is holistic – strong in communication, leadership, teamwork, adaptability and problem-solving.” He called on universities to proactively cultivate these skills from the first year through to graduation, encouraging students to participate in clubs, uniformed bodies, leadership roles, and community programmes. “University is a place for exposure, not isolation. Students who isolate themselves and focus only on grades miss out on valuable life skills. “The key is balance – academic knowledge must go hand in hand with non-academic excellence. Students need to expose themselves early, remain humble and build strong character.” – By Kirtinee Ramesh

PETALING Academic excellence alone is no longer enough to guarantee career success, with employers increasingly valuing emotional intelligence, adaptability and soft skills over perfect grades. That is the view of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Centre for Psychological and Counselling Services director and senior psychology officer Dr Zulfikar Ahmad who says the modern workplace rewards graduates who combine knowledge with practical and interpersonal abilities. “Industries are looking for candidates with strong soft skills, positive attitudes, good communication and resilience. “Graduates who actively participate in student activities or programmes outside the lecture room often display stronger character-building qualities.” Zulfikar said students who balance academics with extracurricular involvement develop essential workplace competencies such as teamwork, leadership, adaptability and problem-solving. While they may not always graduate at the top of their class, these graduates are often better prepared to meet the challenges of structured work environments. “In recruitment, employers seek communication skills, teamwork, creative and critical thinking, a strong work ethic and adaptability. Academic excellence alone should not stereotype graduates, as industries expect a broader range JAYA: PETALING JAYA: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad made his first public appearance since being hospitalised, stepping out 22 days after his fall at home for a quiet coffee at Pavilion Damansara Heights yesterday. The 100-year-old statesman, dressed in a short-sleeved collared shirt and traditional kain pelekat , was seen in a wheelchair at a café inside the shopping mall. His press secretary, Sufi Yusoff, described the outing as an important milestone in Mahathir’s recovery. “He’s out having coffee at Pavilion Damansara. It’s his first public outing, 22 days after his admission,” Sufi said. According to an official health update from Mahathir’s office, he was accompanied by his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, National Heart Institute (IJN) chief executive officer Prof Datuk Sri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib and medical officers from IJN. The group spent around 40 minutes at the cafe, where Mahathir chose to enjoy a glass of iced chocolate – a small but symbolic gesture marking his first outing since being admitted for treatment and rehabilitation. Mahathir had been admitted to IJN on Jan 6 following a fall at his residence at The Mines, which caused a fracture to his right hip. After consultations with specialists from IJN, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital and Kuala Lumpur Hospital, physiotherapy without surgery was deemed the safest approach. He is expected to undergo a lengthy recovery process.

and adaptability.” Zulfikar early conditioning around grades can shape how top achievers respond to authority, feedback and failure. “While academic excellence reflects discipline and knowledge, it may sometimes make negotiation and coping with setbacks more challenging. “Difficulty accepting failure can increase workplace tension, especially in high-pressure environments. “Graduates need mindset shifts and realistic expectations about their careers. They must be culturally fit and able to adapt from university life to the Malaysian workplace setting.” He urged universities to be more than centres of academic learning. “In classrooms, lecturers are authority figures and grades measure performance. In the workplace, supervisors replace lecturers and performance replaces grades.” Zulfikar added that both high achieving and average graduates have a place in the job market. “Employers are not rejecting excellence. They are seeking graduates who are adaptable, emotionally intelligent and capable of contributing effectively in real-world environments – qualities that go beyond grades.” added that

o Employers value emotional intelligence and soft skills, seeking graduates who can communicate and adapt to real-world demands, says UTM psychologist

managerial or leadership roles, which require empathy and practical judgment, not just textbook knowledge.” From a psychological standpoint, Zulfikar stressed that emotional intelligence (EQ) plays a crucial role in career success, alongside IQ and social skills (SQ). “Future workplaces require these three elements to work together. EQ and adaptability are meta-skills that determine how effectively a person applies intelligence in a constantly changing social environment.” Employees with high EQ are better equipped to manage stress, build trust, motivate colleagues and create a productive work culture, he said. “Raw intelligence may suit planning tasks, but working with people requires emotional resilience

of competencies.” Zulfikar also

addressed

a

common high achievers sometimes struggle to adjust psychologically to fast-paced or routine workplaces. He said traits such as perfectionism and overthinking are not confined to top scorers. “Both academically excellent and average students can display such traits, but the difference often lies in flexibility. Students who have experience managing study-life balance are generally more adaptable when transitioning into work-life balance.” Highlighting the gap between academic and workplace demands, he said: “The real world of work requires hands-on involvement and human-centred decision-making. “Graduates are often placed in perception –

Tun M makes first public appearance since hospitalisation

COFFEE COMEBACK ... Mahathir,accompanied by Siti Hasmah, Mohamed Ezani and medical officers from IJN, enjoying a cafe outing at Pavilion Damansara Heights yesterday.– PIC COURTESY OF DR MAHATHIR MOHAMAD FACEBOOK PAGE

The also confirmed that Mahathir has not yet been allowed to return home and will continue receiving treatment at health update

IJN, with visitation limited to immediate family only. Though closely assisted during the outing, his appearance offered

reassurance to supporters and the public who have been closely monitoring updates on his condition. – By Kirtinee Ramesh