As the official Education Partner of TalentHub Program, UTAR hosted the TalentHub Program for the first time and it was officially launched at the Kampar Campus on 13 April 2017.
Initiated by the Deputy Minister of Finance II Senator Dato’ Lee Chee Leong, the TalentHub Program aims to be one of the strategic platforms for students to engage with industry players and get empowered via the immense career opportunities available. The programme also aims to create a platform for all students to gain corporate and industry experience and it is open to the public as well as to students from all education institutions.
The TalentHub Program focussed on three main components, namely Internships, which include introducing industrial training positions, personal development programmes, apprenticeships and leadership programmes; Fresh Graduate Jobs, which introduces jobs ranging from management trainee programmes to corporate vacancies; and finally Corporate Sponsorship for University Projects, which identifies funding partner for universities’ and colleges’ co-curriculum assignments and social work.
Prof Choong (left) and Dato’ Lee launching the TalentHub Program
Invited to launch the TalentHub Program was Dato’ Lee. Also present at the launching ceremony were UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong representing UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, UTAR Faculty of Business and Finance Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Lau Lin Sea, UTAR Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Lo Po Kim, UTAR Institute of Chinese Studies Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Dr Ling Liong Ngo, Dato’ Lee’s Special Assistant Daniel Wa Wai How, representatives from companies and organisations, UTAR staff and students.
UTAR staff and students at the programme
The programme saw the participation of about 150 UTAR students. A total of 11 companies and organisations, namely CRSM GoCare, Century Edge Group Sdn Bhd, CIMB Bank, Eco World, Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad, Huawei, KPMG, Maju PBJ Sdn Bhd, Parkson Corporation Sdn Bhd, Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad and Sime Darby participated in the programme for recruitment drive as well as to deliver a series of industrial talks. This initiative was certainly a boon to employers, university students, soon-to-be graduates, fresh graduates as well as institutions of higher learning.
Prof Choong thanking Dato’ Lee for introducing the programme
In his welcoming speech, Prof Choong said, “First of all, on behalf of the UTAR President, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to Dato’ Lee for having UTAR as the Education Partner for this newly kick-started TalentHub Program which aims to create 1,000 job opportunities by the end of 2018. This TalentHub Program by the Office of the Deputy Minister of Finance II is a strategic platform for fresh graduates and students to look for employers and vice versa.”
Dato’ Lee explaining to students about the advantages of TalentHub Program
Dato’ Lee in his opening speech, said, “TalentHub Program is an initiative by the Office of the Deputy Minister of Finance II to empower students and the following generation through opportunities in corporate and industry relations experience. It’s a job-matching platform for undergraduates from all higher learning institutions, especially UTAR and TAR University College students. Through the TalentHub Program, the students now will stand a chance to serve in top-notch corporations, acquire first-hand knowledge in specific fields, and attend training offered by industry experts as well as receive Certificate of Achievement awarded by Deputy Minister of Finance.”
Dato’ Lee and Wa (left) interacting with UTAR students
He added, “I also would like to take this opportunity to urge the corporations in the city of Kampar, industries and SMEs as well as government-linked-companies from the state of Perak to take part in TalentHub Program. We hope to create 1,000 opportunities by the end of 2018. It is my hope that with the TalentHub Program in place, the industries are ready to tap into this pool of talents, to allow both the industries and students to enjoy a greater future.”
Students tour the companies’ booths after the launching ceremony
The programme also witnessed an impromptu interview session called, “Hired or Fired” conducted by the participated companies. A total of three candidates, namely Construction Management student Low Kok Hou, Construction Management student Christine Ng Jin Yong and Master of Business Administration (Corporate Management) graduate Choong Weng Kuen took part in the session. The “Hired or Fired” slot was aimed to interview potential candidates spontaneously and hire them to work for their companies.
(From top left: clockwise) Low, Ng and Choong during the “Hired or Fired” slot
The programme ended with a series of industrial talk conducted by companies such as Sime Darby, Eco World, KPMG, Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad, Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad, SuperAnt and Century Edge Group Sdn Bhd.
Dato’ Lee and Prof Choong (in middle) thanking all the participating companies
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