Plenary Lecture

Measuring and Evaluating Perception and Expectation of Engineering Graduates in Malaysia

Assoc Prof Dr Azami Zaharim
Coordinator Fundamental Engineering Unit,
Head of Engineering Education Research Group,
Head of Engineering Mathematics Research Group
The Faculty of Engineering,
National University of Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, MALAYSIA
Phone Number: 03-89216843 Fax Number: 03-89216960
E-mail: azami@vlsi.eng.ukm.my

Abstract: This paper discusses a comprehensive study of employers’ perception and expectation of Malaysian engineering graduates towards assessing measurable qualities. To have better overview in this issue, a survey on the needs, perception and expectation of Malaysian industries towards graduate engineers is conducted. In order to create a smoother transition from education to practice, some argue that engineering education should put more emphasis on the engineering-based knowledge. Thus, this study investigates also the gap analysis which is defined as the difference between expectation and perception among majority of Malaysian industries towards existing engineering graduates. For the purpose of this paper, both technical and generic attributes are analyzed and discussed. A total of 422 companies from various industries in Malaysia were chosen for the face-to-face interview sessions using a set of questionnaires. The respondents were mainly come from high ranking personnel in their firm. The outcomes of this study will later be considered as a revision guideline for the engineering education curricula of Malaysian Institutions of Higher Learning.


Brief Biography of the Speaker:
Dr Azami Zaharim worked first 13 years .as a lecturer in the University of MARA Technology (UiTM) before joining the National University of Malaysia (UKM) in the year 2003. He has published more than 50 papers in Journal and proceeding at the national and international conferences. He is currently active involve in outcome based education approach at the national level. He is also involved in the research for the future of engineering education in Malaysia 2006 under the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia.