Small Steps, Big Impact

Found some good news regarding improvements in Internship programs in Bernama today. Let's hope for genuine private sector participation, not just on the surface. It is a requiem for this initiative to work.

The full text here:

Higher Education Ministry To Implement New Internship Programme

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 (Bernama) -- The Higher Education Ministry will implement a more structured internship programme for university students beginning next month.

The programme aims to enhance the employability of graduates by equipping them with the skills and experience related to their field of study in view of concerns raised by employers with regards to the quality of graduates, such as lacking in soft skills.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the ministry was focusing on developing undergraduates into competent and innovative individuals with high moral values in order to meet national and international needs.

"This (the programme) will help provide more opportunities for students to gain early exposure to the workplace environment," he told reporters after presenting the Taylor's World Class Scholarship here Tuesday.

Asked whether the duration of the programme would be standardised throughout the country, Mohamed Khaled said it would depend on the agreement between the respective universities and the sponsoring companies, but it would normally be for a few months before graduation.

"It is hoped that more private companies and corporate organisations will participate in the programme as their cooperation is important to make it a success," he said.

On the Taylor's World Class Scholarship programme, he said it was in line with the government's aim of encouraging collaboration between industries and institutions of higher learning.

The 19 students who were awarded with RM2 million worth of scholarships at Tuesday's presentation will be assured of internship in world-class multinational organisations.