76.6% USM GRADUATES EMPLOYED WITHIN FOUR MONTHS

PENANG, 4 Mar. – The Graduate Tracer Study 2010 has indicated that within 4 months, 76.6% of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) graduates have found employment in various sectors in the government as well as local and international conglomerates.

This means that USM has exceeded its target of 75% in its KPI for 2010 with regard to the employability of its graduates.

In his speech at the launching of EKSPEN 2011 Career Fair, at the Main Students’ Hall (Dewan Utama Pelajar), USM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak said that in facing the global economic crisis, graduands should equip themselves with additional skills in line with the current needs of the industry.  For graduands planning on being self-employed, the Vice-Chancellor suggested that they have strong principles and act ethically and with integrity.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the Student Affairs & Development Division (BHEPP) has for the 10^th time, organized EKSPEN 2011 Career Fair themed ‘Explore Your Destiny’ in line with  the interests, knowledge and skills of  graduands.

The three-day EKSPEN 2011 Career Fair, held from 4-6 March, witnessed the participation of 54 companies and agencies with 52 exhibition booths.

In his welcoming speech,  Farid Ridhwan Mohd. Jamil, the Director of EKSPEN 2011 described the expo as a suitable platform not only to equip the graduands with the necessary skills for joining the workforce but also to provide early exposure so that they can plan their respective careers.

EKSPEN 2011 is seen as strategic stepping stone to those looking for job opportunities in line with the manpower requirements in Malaysia. This year, at EKSPEN there were open interviews conducted by the private sector, exhibitions as well as career talks, mock interviews and also counselling clinics.