The future is bright: Sri Ganes (right) speaking to visitors at the Star Education Fair 2022 about how many students from SG Academy have gone on to find well-paying jobs in hospitality and IT.
BUKIT JALIL: Malaysian students are doing well in foreign universities, possessing qualities such as grit and commitment, say varsities and institutions with booths at the Star Education Fair 2022.
SG Education Group chief executive Datuk Sri Ganes said many of its students who went to Singapore for work and study programmes subsequently stayed on in well-paying jobs.
The academy specialises in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).
“They do short courses as a bridging programme for them to get jobs in hospitality and IT.
“Some of them even received subsequent offers to work in Australia and New Zealand,” he said yesterday.
“They do well and what they have learnt from us acts as that bridge in their skills attainment.”
Commending Malaysian students on their level of English, Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management APAC enrolment director Christian Schiering said those who enrolled in its varsity performed very well.
“They have no problems following our programmes, all of which are carried out in English, and interacting with other students and lecturers.
“The students are committed to doing well and achieving good results because they know how much their parents have invested in their education,” he said.
Tehran University of Medical Sciences international marketing office head Ardalan Shariat said Malaysians and Iranians shared several similarities, making the assimilation process seamless.
Impressive standards: Ardalan says his university is eager to work with Malaysian universities because of their high ranking and requirements.
The university, he said, conducted exchange programmes for professors and students with Malaysian varsities such as Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Putra Malaysia.
“The quality of Malaysian students and professors that we get are very high and one of the reasons why we want to collaborate with local universities is because the rankings and requirements to enter Malaysian universities are high.
“Realising this, we asked ourselves why focus on European markets when there are high-quality individuals right here,” he said.
Students who enrolled at the Nippon Designers School Malaysia College’s Japan campus must learn the Japanese language as part of the requirement, said marketing affairs Kai Yamashita.
These students showed a high level of commitment in their education and were independent in ensuring their financial sustainability, he said.
Star Media Group sales and events assistant general manager Lily Fong expressed hope that the Star Education Fair 2022 and myStarJob Fair 2022 had been beneficial for the thousands who came, particularly as the economy was still recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The fairs aim to provide a convenient one-stop venue for jobseekers, students and those interested in upskilling or a career switch, to explore their options,” she said, adding that those who missed the opportunity could look forward to the next one at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, Selangor, on Aug 27 and 28.
“Visitors to the coming event can look forward to more recruiters and exhibitors,” she said.
The two-day fair pulled in visitors in the thousands, among whom were Shamsul Saleh, 36, who dropped by with his 17-year-old daughter.
Top-notch students: Schiering (left) and Yamashita (right) say Malaysian students entering their respective academies have high levels of communication skills and are committed to their education.
He said his daughter, who has a knack for sewing, was interested in business and marketing.
“So we’re in search of courses that may have a mix of both areas,” he said.
“This is fair is really useful for both parents and children because sometimes, the kids may not be fully aware of what’s out there for them to pursue.”
International school student Ng Hui Yee, 17, attended the fair to browse for psychology courses as well as other programmes and scholarships at the various booths.
“I’m still a little unsure about my tertiary pathway but I am interested in how the human mind works as I live with people who suffer from mental health.
“I’m also hoping to apply for scholarships so my aim now is to do well in my exams,” she said.
