Graduates’ Employment: The Value of Curtin University of Technology Sarawak’s Graduates

Abstract

The main objectives of this research are to study the value of Curtin University of Technology Sarawak’s graduates in 2006, graduates’ perception on Curtin and recommendation on programmes offered. Questionnaires were distributed to School of Business and School of Engineering’s graduates before the Graduation Ceremony held on 11th May 2006 at the Imperial Hall, Mega Hotel. The study found that the employment rate is 64.9% in 2006. Unemployment rate dropped from 36% in 2004 to 25.3% in 2005 and then increased to 35.1% in 2006, however, from this unemployment group, it is found that 58.5% was ‘Still seeking for work’ scenario, while 32.3% took a break, 6.2% further studies, 1.5% choose not to work and 1.5% find difficult in getting a suitable job. The study also shows that around 69.17% of the Curtin’s graduate salary ranges are between RM1000 – RM1500 and RM1500 – RM1800. Majority of students are very satisfied with the programmes offered by the university and they even like to recommend it to their family members to study in this institution. However, number of recommendations was provided by the graduates to improve the quality of the programs. All the programmes should be relevant to the needs of the industry, especially industry training and practical work experiences, constant visitation to industry workplaces for better learning, applications towards theoretical components and increased contemporary knowledge currently practiced at the workplace to be brought into the classroom.