TALENTBANK, Malaysia's leading authority on graduate employment, has unveiled the highly anticipated 2025 Employers' Choice of University list yesterday at EQ Kuala Lumpur, spotlighting institutions whose graduates are actively sought after by the nation's top employers.
The event was graced by the guest of honour, Higher Education Ministry deputy minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, underscoring the government’s commitment to aligning higher education with industry needs.
Unlike traditional academic rankings, Talentbank’s Employers' Choice list is driven by real-world hiring data, gathered directly from leading employers across Malaysia.
Prominent companies such as Maybank, CelcomDigi, CIMB, Nestlé, Hartalega, PwC Malaysia, PETRONAS, Public Bank, Sunway Group, Standard Chartered Bank, BDO, DKSH Malaysia, AIA Berhad, Telekom Malaysia, Generali Insurance Malaysia, Western Digital, and many more have contributed their insights, identifying universities renowned for producing highly skilled and job-ready graduates.
Celebrating the Employers’ Choice of University winners for their dedication to shaping Malaysia’s career-ready workforce.
This unique ranking utilizes Talentbank’s National Graduate Employability Index (GE Index), employing a comprehensive, three-tiered approach.
First, it identifies universities that employers actively recruit from; second, it quantifies the actual number of graduates hired from each institution; and third, it evaluates employers' repeat hiring patterns based on graduate performance.
More than just a survey, the GE Index serves as a powerful career-planning tool, enabling students and families to align their educational choices with actual industry demands, thereby significantly reducing graduate unemployment.
By leveraging Talentbank’s National Graduate Employability Index, school leavers can confidently select universities renowned for delivering highly employable education, significantly enhancing their prospects of securing employment upon graduation.
Top universities recognised in 2025
Public universities have secured strong positions among employers nationwide, with Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) recognised as top choices.
Sunway University continues to shine as Malaysia’s No.1 in Graduate Employability for four consecutive years, firmly establishing its leadership in producing highly sought-after graduates.
Sunway University is especially recognised for excellence in Business, Accounting, Computer Science, Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Communication, and Psychology, setting a strong benchmark for quality education in the private higher education sector.
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) is also highly commended by employers, recognised for consistently producing graduates who excel in fields such as Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, and Actuarial Science. Employers have further highlighted other outstanding institutions such as Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation, IMU University, and Universiti Teknologi Petronas among their preferred choices.
These universities are widely acknowledged for consistently equipping graduates with the skills needed to excel across various industries.
“It is encouraging to see the remarkable strides made by both public and private universities in preparing graduates for the job market,” Talentbank chief executive officer Ben Ho said of these achievements.
A comprehensive guide
As part of Talentbank’s 15th-anniversary celebrations, the company has launched the Career Playbook, an upcoming comprehensive guide designed for Malaysian school leavers, university students and young graduates.
This early introduction provides a preview of the valuable insights it will offer, including guidance on choosing the right universities and career paths, identifying high-growth industries, developing employability skills and navigating the job application process.
The Career Playbook was introduced in the presence of Mustapha, setting the stage for its full release this year.
“For 15 years, Talentbank has passionately dedicated itself to enhancing graduate employability across Malaysia.
“Through initiatives like the Employers’ Choice of University list and our newly launched Career Playbook, we remain committed to guiding students and families towards informed educational and career decisions, ultimately empowering graduates to confidently enter Malaysia’s competitive job market.
“We invest efforts and costs into research to find out which university employers are hiring from, and I hope school leavers and parents can use this as your guide to enroll into the universities that will land you a job quickly,” Ho stated on this milestone.
Click here to find the full 2025 Employers’ Choice of University list. To join the waitlist for Career Playbook, visit www.careerplaybook.io
