PUTRAJAYA, 21 September 2020 – The year 2020 is a challenge to the marketability of local University graduates due to the spread of the Covid19 pandemic not only in Malaysia but also globally.

Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Alumni and Career Center has taken a proactive step by organizing the 2020 Industrial Alumni Entrepreneurs Convention as a platform to assist entrepreneurs and channel inputs in various fields and post-pandemic issues of Covid19 so that these entrepreneurs rise again to continue the struggle in business in particular.

This inaugural convention is an initial step by the university to help further develop the potential of alumni entrepreneurs not only USIM alumni, but also alumni of all Public Universities in the country.

Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Rushdan Mohd Jailani, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs) in his inaugural address, said that the Covid19 pandemic has changed the landscape in human life worldwide, including it also affects current graduates. So, for that reason, University graduates need to be prepared to equip themselves with various sets of soft skills and dare to explore new careers. Challenges in obtaining current employment opportunities, require graduates to be flexible and ready to face any challenges that occur.

“Efforts to help Alumni Entrepreneurs are the responsibility of all parties and need to be implemented comprehensively. Funding and grants from the Government such as the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), SME Corp, TEKUN and industry partners will be able to help stimulate the growth of these Alumni Entrepreneurs. I really hope the MOHE can provide funds and special grants for these Alumni Entrepreneurs because this group is the future Malaysian technocrats in the future “, explained Dr. Rushdan.

Meanwhile, Dr Siti Mardhiyah Kamal Azhar, Deputy Director of the USIM Alumni and Career Center as the Program Director said, the initiative of the Alumni Center to organize this convention is to share channels and establish good alumni relations with the industry, due to the Covid19 pandemic. Therefore, the slots provided with the industry are expected to help alumni entrepreneurs to some extent.

“A total of seven slots have been arranged and shared by the industry including from the Ministry of Higher Education, SME Corp Negeri Sembilan, GET Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad, PROTÉGÉ, LHDN, SOCSO and L&K Multivision Sdn Bhd. Apart from that, USIM alumni entrepreneurs also donated souvenirs from their respective companies including Medshoe, Mawar Teraju Sdn Bhd, Awla Global Resources, Sportflex Media & Events Sdn Bhd and Callidesign & Cendera ”, added Dr Mardhiyah.

One of the participants from USIM alumni, Mohamad Shukri Zakria is from Kelantan who is an alumnus of the Actuarial Science program, Faculty of Science and Technology said, the challenge for graduates to get a job is very high due to the dumping of graduates in Malaysia. As a result, he has ventured into the field of agriculture which includes the cultivation of rice, vegetables, and marketing processes.

“Six years of experience in this field of business teaches a lot about the ins and outs of business from the beginning of the process, and the experience of participating in this convention is invaluable because it is the first time, I have the opportunity to participate and this can expose entrepreneurs like us to the alumni grants available.

A total of 50 exhibitions of goods sold by alumni entrepreneurs throughout Malaysia as well as 200 convention participants from representatives of public universities including Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA).

The convention also received cooperation from the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia and the Public University Alumni Council. Also present were USIM Board Member (Alumni) Ustaz Mohd Hariri Hj Daud, and USIM Alumni and Career Center Director Encik Mohd Asri Husain.

Provided by:

Noorumaina Mohamed Yunus

Strategic Communication Center (StraComm)

Level 1, Chancellor of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)

Bandar Baru Nilai, 71800 Nilai Negeri Sembilan