Looking to the future: Parents and students checking out programmes on offer at the Star Education Fair 2025. — Low Boon Tat/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Students should choose an international university that specialises in future-ready education to ensure they graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an evolving global landscape, say education services experts.
Jeyanthi Thevarajah, who is Enterprise Ireland’s head of education services Asean, said courses offered at universities in Ireland are both industry-led and focused.
“Though Ireland is a small country, it has attracted over 1,800 multinational companies to set up their European base within the country.
“These companies actively engage in research collaborations with universities and provide internship opportunities for students pursuing their degrees, making sure they have the adequate skill set required by industries,” she said.
Advance Tertiary College (ATC) Malaysia lecturer of law Rishka Ahshok Kumar, who is an Aberystwyth University alum, noted that students at the varsity benefit from a hands-on, one-on-one teaching approach.
“This encourages them to speak up more, helping to develop their communication skills.
“Being in the law field really necessitates us to enhance this, as that is what we are going to do a lot in the future,” she said.
Meanwhile, University of Edinburgh international recruitment manager Southeast Asia Louise Tracey said at the institute, research is at the heart of every degree programme – from undergraduate to postgraduate-level – ensuring students engage with real-world issues throughout their education.
Sustainability, she said, has become a key focus across multiple disciplines, with the university introducing new programmes in food security, climate change, and even climate change finance.
“To equip students for the workforce, Edinburgh University continually updates its curriculum to reflect industry developments,” she said.
University of Warwick liaison manager Imran Hashim said the institution actively collaborates with academics, researchers and industry partners to create a continuous feedback loop, ensuring the university stays informed about skills needed for future careers.
“With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), for instance, we now offer a dedicated AI course through WMG, one of our management schools,” he said.
University of Alberta international recruitment and relations coordinator Southeast Asia Michaela Kleinsasser said one of the things that the institution does particularly well is preparing students for the workforce through a strong emphasis on experiential learning and global exposure.
The institution offers paid work experience programmes that help students gain practical skills while earning an income.
