Employers feel university rankings are useless without soft skills

The persistent mismatch between graduates and jobs appears poised to continue, with local graduates still lacking numerous soft skills, despite some Malaysian universities gaining in rank in recent international surveys, according to the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF).

“While university rankings may open doors for better hiring opportunities, the hiring of graduates depends more on their ability to multitask, take on responsibilities and apply practical and soft skills.

“Based on the MEF Salary Survey for Executives 2021, one-third of respondent companies expect newly hired graduates to multitask and work effectively in high-performing teams.

“Additionally, 29% of companies seek graduates who demonstrate engagement and a willingness to take on extra responsibilities, while 28.5% value the ability of graduates to complete tasks and apply soft skills,” MEF president Syed Hussain Syed Husman told FMT.

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A number of Malaysian universities have improved in the QS World University Rankings 2025, according to a recent FMT study. The only university in Malaysia to rank among the top 100 in the world, Universiti Malaya, rose five ranks to take 60th position this year.

Significant advancements were also made by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, which rose 21 spots to 138th rank. Universiti Sains Malaysia (146), Universiti Putra Malaysia (148), and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (181) followed.

But QS pointed out that in terms of employer recognition, 22 out of 26 Malaysian universities suffered a decline in their rankings.

businesses, according to Syed Hussain, frequently look for proof of a candidate’s ability in the form of portfolios, project work, or internships. He also noted that businesses are becoming more aware of the fact that formal education does not always equate to skill in the real world.

“The rise of bootcamps, online courses and certifications has made it possible for individuals to gain specific job-relevant skills outside traditional educational pathways.

“If graduates take the initiative to learn web development, for example, through online courses, tutorials or projects, they will have a significant edge over those who do not,” he said.

Although Malaysian university graduates typically well-prepared in terms of academic knowledge and technical abilities, there were notable gaps in practical experience and soft skills, according to Soh Thian Lai, president of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).

“Local university graduates often have strong technical knowledge and theoretical understanding of their subjects but lack practical experience and industry readiness.

“They are often seen as hardworking and diligent, with a positive attitude towards learning and improvement. They tend to have good cultural adaptability and work well in diverse teams but lack soft skills, critical thinking and innovativeness,” he said.

He proposed that in order to solve this problem, academic institutions should collaborate more with business to guarantee that curricula are relevant and to extend and improve the caliber of internships.

He went on to say that university curricula had to place more of an emphasis on language competency, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving techniques while also providing more possibilities for leadership and extracurricular activities.