UTAR ranks Top 2 in Graduate Employability Rankings by Talentbank

UTAR has reinforced its position in graduate employability by being ranked Top 2 among Malaysian universities in Talentbank’s 2025 Employers’ Choice of University list. The announcement was made at the official launch held on 22 April 2025 at EQ Kuala Lumpur, in conjunction with Talentbank’s 15th Anniversary celebration.

The list, compiled by Malaysia’s leading graduate employability specialist, Talentbank, is based on real-world hiring data contributed by top employers across the nation. It highlights universities whose graduates are actively recruited and consistently employed by industry leaders. UTAR was recognised for producing highly sought-after graduates in fields such as Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, and Actuarial Science.

Gracing the event was Datuk Ts Mustapha Sakmud, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, who commended the effort to align higher education with industry needs. Also present was Talentbank CEO Mr Ben Ho, who reiterated the importance of graduate employability and informed decision-making among students and parents.

Talentbank’s list was compiled using its proprietary National Graduate Employability Index (GE Index). The GE Index employs a rigorous three-tiered approach: identifying universities actively recruited from, evaluating the actual number of graduates hired, and measuring repeat hiring behaviour based on graduate performance.

The ranking was derived from feedback provided by 733 employers across Malaysia, including prominent organisations such as Maybank, PETRONAS, PwC Malaysia, CIMB, Public Bank, Hartalega, and Sunway Group. The survey assessed 45 public and private institutions nationwide, evaluating their effectiveness in producing job-ready graduates.

In addition to its overall recognition, UTAR was acknowledged as a “Champion” in multiple disciplines, including Accounting, Actuarial Science, Finance, and Engineering. This distinction signifies UTAR’s excellence in these fields, as determined by leading graduate employers in Malaysia. The “Champion” status is part of Talentbank’s data-driven employability ratings, which are entirely based on employer feedback.

UTAR’s consistent presence in the annual Employers’ Choice list reflects its strong academic foundation, industry-relevant curriculum, and robust internship and career development initiatives. This recognition also highlights UTAR’s ongoing commitment to equipping students with the skills and experience necessary to thrive in an increasingly competitive job market.

UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat expressed his gratitude to the employers who recognised the university. He also extended appreciation to the staff, students, alumni, and industry partners whose collective efforts contributed to UTAR’s reputation as a university of educational excellence with high graduate employability.

In addition to the award presentation, the event featured the soft launch of the Career Playbook, a new initiative by Talentbank to guide school leavers and graduates in choosing the right university, career paths, and employability strategies. The initiative aligns with Talentbank’s mission to bridge the gap between education and employment in Malaysia.

For more information on the Employers’ Choice of University list and the upcoming Career Playbook, visit www.talentbankgroup.com and www.careerplaybook.io.