FICT IAP Forum 2016

Panel of guests sharing their opinions

Gathering industrial experts, academicians and students, the “Hottest and Highly Sought-after Skills in ICT” Industrial Advisory Panel (IAP) Forum 2016, organised by Faculty of Information and Technology, was held on 29 June 2016 at the Kampar Campus.

Invited to the forum was a panel of guests, namely Recogine Technology and EV-Dynamic Senior Consultant Dr Kwong Kae Hsiang, Intel Microelectronics (M) Sdn Bhd System on Chip (SOC) Senior Design Validation Manager Chew Beng Wah, E-Genting Holdings Sdn Bhd Senior Vice President of the R&D Systems department, KEDA Limited Managing Director and Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry of Malaysia (PIKOM) Representative Lee Boon Kok, and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Sdn Bhd (MDEC) Senior Manager of Talent Development Division Tan Eng Hoo. The forum also saw the presence of FICT Dean Assoc Prof Dr Liew Soung Yue, and FICT Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes and Organising Chairperson Dr Cheng Wai Khuen, along with staff and students. 

With aims to have in-depth discussion on the effectiveness of universities’ expenditures on large-scale resources in augmenting its degree programmes, the forum commenced with the panel addressing the effectiveness of the university’s efforts in nurturing students that can be valued assets to employers. The forum saw agreement that UTAR is indeed on the right track with proper resource utilisation. Active engagement was seen among participants as they voiced their opinions which led to other topics being raised, such as student employment after graduation, technical and soft skills required by the industries, and the effects of academic results on employment. 

When asked of the qualities students should possess for employment, Dr Kwong responded by advising students to be passionate in performing given tasks. He stated his belief that students should have the maturity and capacity to make independent decisions to better navigate their careers. He also reminded students that the monetary aspect of their careers is not the priority and rather they should consider first their capacity and willingness to contribute to the company and learn from the job.

Responding to a similar question, Lee however, encouraged students to found a start-up business of their own, mentioning that it offers invaluable experiences after graduation. With a word of caution, Lee said, “There will be risks and failures along the business line, but do not lose hope because failures are great teachers that offer great lessons.” Regardless the choice of employment students make, the panel advised students to pair patience with effort to achieve their ambitions.

In light of career-related subjects, the panel also placed emphasis on having both technical skills and soft skills to heighten students’ employability. The panel noted students, in general, graduate with good technical skills, but yet lack the required soft skills. Hence, they presented an example which validated the importance of having well-developed leadership skills.

FICT is committed to assuring students graduate with the required skill sets to respond to professional needs. Events such as the IAP forum are one of the many strategies FICT employs in enhancing its current programmes. The forum ended with a souvenir presentation by Dr Liew to all the honoured guests.