APU’s Mega Career Fair Setting the Benchmark as Malaysia’s Largest University-Organised Career Fair

The APU Mega Career Fair 2024, in collaboration with Malaysia Digital Premier Digital Tech Institutions (MD PDTI) Talent Hunt, was a resounding success, drawing a diverse array of enthusiastic job seekers and visitors to the vibrant campus of Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) on 12^th June 2024.

This year’s fair was a beacon of hope and opportunity for many, providing a robust platform for students and job seekers to engage with potential employers.

The fair catered to a diverse array of interests and career paths, from engineering and technology to finance, healthcare, and beyond.

APU’s commitment to fostering professional growth and development was evident in the meticulous organisation and execution of the fair.

Key fair highlights:

1. 120 exhibitors participated in the fair.
2. 50% of the exhibitors represent Malaysia’s Top 100 Leading Graduate Employers (M100).
3. The fair covered 19 different industries.
4. 50% of the exhibitors were actively seeking international students for employment.
5. There were 5,333 full-time job openings available.
6. 4,809 internship positions were offered.
7. The fair presented over 10,000 career opportunities.

The vibrant atmosphere of the fair was enriched by a series of interactive sessions led by industry experts. Additionally, the fair included exclusive networking opportunities, allowing students to directly interact with Human Resources professionals and company representatives.

The combination of interactive sessions and networking opportunities underscored the fair’s commitment to equipping students with the skills and connections necessary to succeed in today’s competitive job market.

Employer Perspectives

Ir Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad, Vice President and Head of Digital Industry Acceleration at Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate once more with APU in facilitating student job placements and networking at the fair. He also commended the impressive turnout, underscoring the fair’s significance as a valuable platform for students.

Furthermore, he highlighted the positive impact these opportunities have in shaping the career trajectories of aspiring students, reinforcing the importance of such collaborative efforts in fostering talent development.

Daisy Vincent Xavier, Global Maybank Apprentice at Maybank, expressed that the students have versatile backgrounds and also portray strong engaging skills in terms of communicating what they want to do. This ability, she highlighted, is something beneficial that APU students possess, showcasing their readiness to contribute effectively in diverse professional environments.

Additionally, she noted that their proactive approach to learning and adapting to challenges reflects their potential to thrive in dynamic industries, making them highly sought-after candidates for future opportunities.

Nur Syarwani Mohd Nasir, Talent Attraction Specialist at U Mobile, expressed that the helping nature of each student, as they navigate and decide which companies to explore, is what surprised her. She also expressed gratitude that their willingness to assist each other benefits them in fostering a supportive community atmosphere, where collaboration and mutual support thrive. Moreover, she emphasised the importance of such teamwork in preparing them for future career challenges and opportunities.

Student Perspectives

Prawen Sin Hee, an APU student, actively sought internship opportunities aligned with his studies by reaching out to prominent organisations during the fair. He specifically highlighted the fair for its outstanding value, commending the diverse array of available positions and the insightful exchanges with representatives from each company.

He also emphasised the immense benefit he gained from the fair, highlighting the wealth of knowledge he acquired that will prove instrumental in shaping his future career path.

Yew Pei Ming, an APU student, described the fair as a priceless chance to explore internship opportunities. “The sheer number of companies which participated in the fair was impressive, offering a wide range of options for students like myself.

“I also appreciated the direct connections with employers, gaining insights into how my skills align with their company’s goals and understanding their specific internship criteria, which can benefit my career growth and professional development,” she said.

Abdullah Mohammed Hazeq, an international APU student from India, found the fair to be an amazing experience. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to interact with employers and experts from various industries in one place, which provided him with valuable experiences.

Moreover, he pointed out that the fair has greatly widened his career opportunities and offered crucial support in progressing his professional path, playing a key role in his overall growth.

Strengthening Academic-Industry Collaboration at APU

Mr Gurpardeep Singh (Chief Operating Officer at APU, 4^th from the left in the photo above) highlighted the pivotal role of these events in forging stronger ties between academia and industry.

He emphasised their importance in preparing students not just academically, but also professionally, to thrive in a competitive global job market.

“By facilitating direct interactions with industry leaders and providing hands-on experiences through events like the APU Mega Career Fair, APU ensures that its graduates are equipped with practical skills and industry insights.

“This approach not only enhances employability but also fosters a deeper understanding of industry expectations and trends among students,” he said.