SIRS Singapore Institute of Retail Studies (NYP)’s Post

We are pleased to announce that #UTP, in partnership with Times Higher Education (#THE), will be hosting the prestigious Times Higher Education Campus Live SE Asia 2024 at the #Kuala #Lumpur #Convention #Centre on 26-27 #November #2024.   This event will gather over 350 leaders in #higher #education, #industry #experts, and #policymakers from across #Southeast #Asia to discuss and explore strategies for #driving #growth and #fostering #inclusive #transformation through #partnerships.   The theme of the event, "#From #Vision to #Action: #Driving #Growth and #Inclusive #Transformation #Through #Partnership," will focus on the critical role of #higher #education in shaping the #region's #future. By encouraging #collaboration and #knowledge #exchange, the event aims to address the pressing challenges faced by universities and develop innovative solutions for a #resilient #future.

Culture Shock I Am Facing While Living in Japan Hello hunters, Before I begin my story, I want to introduce myself. My name is Laras, but please call me La. I am currently pursuing my master's degree in sustainability studies in Japan. I am now in my first year. The story begins when I was in my first 3 months here. I met my senior, Nomura-san. At that time, he was an M2 student and planned to graduate in April 2024. He is a friendly and charming person, and I felt so blessed to have met him right away. We talked and shared a lot about our cultural diversity and student life, of course. I also asked him about his plans after graduation. He said that he would work in a food company because his research focused on fish bones. "Ah, I see, maybe it's because he wants to continue his passion. He is also good at cooking, though." He explained that he would start working on a specific date, even though he hadn't graduated yet. I was so surprised, and the first question in my head was, "Have you been hired by the company before graduating?" And surprisingly, he said, "Yes, of course. We have to find a job at least 1 year before graduating." I was like, what??? Is this real??? Meanwhile, in Indonesia, one of the requirements to apply for a job is having at least a graduate certificate as proof that you've graduated. A lot of job vacancies also prefer at least 2 years of work experience, even though some "fresh graduates are welcome to apply". I was thinking, "So, is this why we have a lot of fresh graduates who are jobless in our country?" Can we adopt this system? Maybe it would be much easier for us to reduce the number of jobless graduates in Indonesia, isn't it? What do you think?

𝙂𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮 𝙙𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙯𝙚𝙧𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨? 𝙋𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝘿𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙀𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮 In today’s competitive job market, having a shiny degree from a prestigious university is often seen as a golden ticket to career success. But what happens when that ticket comes with an expiration date? Many fresh graduates in Indonesia find themselves in a tough spot: they’ve mastered theories and excelled in exams, but when it comes to real-world application, they’re left floundering. Employers are often left scratching their heads, wondering how someone can be so well-educated yet so unprepared for the workplace. This mismatch isn't just about knowledge; it’s about experience—or the lack thereof. Many companies are on the lookout for candidates who can hit the ground running, but a degree alone doesn’t guarantee that. Internships and hands-on experiences are crucial, yet many students focus solely on their academic achievements, neglecting the practical skills that make them truly marketable. As a result, graduates enter the workforce with impressive credentials but struggle to adapt to the fast-paced, unpredictable nature of real jobs. The outcome? A growing frustration among employers who need capable, ready-to-work individuals and graduates who feel undervalued despite their hard-earned diplomas. It’s time for a wake-up call: education should not just be about ticking boxes or collecting degrees. Real learning involves developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. If we want to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and real-world competencies, both educational institutions and students need to rethink what it means to be “qualified.” 📝 𝘠𝘰𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘈𝘪 .

On the 23rd of February 2023, I attended the Now Everyone Prospers (NEP): "The Best of Both Worlds" forum organized by the Global Institute of Tomorrow otherwise known as GIFT after being offered the opportunity to attend by my lecturer. Truth be told, it was my first time stepping into a room filled with visionaries and intellectuals that truly cared deeply about the progression of Malaysia as a nation moving forward. Throughout the forum, the idea of race-based rent seeking was confronted fiercely about how this culture has been progressively poisoning our country's human, natural and financial resources. Even the very foundation of why Malaysia is known as "Negara yang ibarat payung berwarna warni", has been questioned. As a nation, we have always celebrated our uniqueness, and respected our differences, yet the younger generation has chosen to neglect these values. A rent-seeking economy brings devastating effects such as racial division, unstable economies and also political instability. If we continue to allow a race-based rent seeking culture to fester, the Malaysia that had celebrated different cultures and races will only ever be present in the history books.

🌟 From Struggles to Success: Lessons in Young Leadership 🌟 Ten years ago, I started my journey in Kuala Lumpur as a debt collector with a basic salary of RM1,600 and no degree. My early years were marked by financial struggle, but they laid the foundation for my growth. After gaining experience in debt collection, I transitioned into real estate with a starting salary of RM2,+++. It wasn’t an easy path, but persistence and a desire to grow kept me moving forward. A major turning point came when a generous mentor, offered me a fully sponsored opportunity to pursue my degree. Despite my initial doubts, I completed my degree with distinction over 4.5 years, thanks to this incredible support. Building a family and career simultaneously, I’m blessed with two wonderful children. Despite my commitment to my company, a new opportunity arose, and I took on a managerial role at age of 27 in a different field. This role provided me with invaluable experience and set me on a path back to my dream in building management. Though my tenure with my dream company was cut short due to unbearable issues, it was a crucial learning experience. Today, I’ve found my place in a role that feels right—surrounded by a great team, effective leadership, and fantastic clients. Key Takeaways: Perseverance: Start where you are and keep pushing forward. Mentorship & Education: Seek guidance and invest in learning. Adaptability: Embrace new roles and opportunities for growth. Leadership: Strive to lead with humility, cooperation, and a positive attitude. I’m grateful for every step in this journey and excited for what lies ahead. Here’s to continued growth and leading with integrity! My next big goal: completing my Master’s degree. This is a step towards furthering my knowledge and expertise, and I’m eager to apply what I learn to continue growing both personally and professionally. For a young leader, continuous learning and persistence are crucial. Embrace every opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills, as these will strengthen your leadership abilities and adaptability. Don’t be discouraged by setbacks or challenges; they are valuable learning experiences. Stay curious, seek feedback, and keep pushing forward. Your dedication will not only enhance your leadership but also inspire those around you #Leadership #CareerJourney #Persistence #Mentorship #Adaptability #CareerGrowth #YoungLeader

🌏 The spirit in the Asian part of our Rascasse world is all about education, advancement, learning, and having a great career! Accordingly, there are many institutes, and our studies and analyses related to these topics are in high demand. That's why the field of university education and career topics is something our colleagues at Rascasse Asia AI-Powered Audience Intelligence in Malaysia focus on. 🎓 For our clients there, it is important to understand what academic talent values and expects from an educational institution, with which messages and offerings to reach this talent, and where to find and attract them. 📚 🌍 Working internationally is fascinating. To see differences in societal developments. In Asia, there is significant demand for our insights from universities and other educational institutions! In Europe, there has been just one lonely request for this so far. Why is that? One wonders... 😉 #InternationalBusiness #Education #CareerDevelopment #AudienceIntelligence #Rascasse #AI #Asia #Europe #HigherEducation #MarketInsights #Learning #GlobalTrends ---

Yes Education was invited to join the Study Group Malaysia Agent Appreciation lunch in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Study Group is a leading international education specialist and a trusted strategic partner to more than 50 universities around the world. Reach out to Yes Education for any inquiries: https://hubs.ly/Q02xF_Z80 #YesEducation #YesEducationGlobal #ConnectingPeopleWithEducation #YesEducationMalaysia

Exciting News for Higher Education in Malaysia! We are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our groundbreaking industry report focused on higher education in Malaysia! This is the first of its kind in the country, providing universities with unprecedented insights into the demand across over 200+ areas of study from Accounting & Finance to Languages & Social Science, Medicine to Engineering Studies. What to Expect: 📈 Demand Analysis: Understand which areas of study are in high demand and where these interests are geographically concentrated across Malaysia. 🗺 Regional Distribution: Discover how demand for different fields of study varies by region, helping universities tailor their offerings to meet local needs. 🏆University Rankings: Gain insights into the ranking of universities by areas of study based on demand, enabling institutions to benchmark their performance and strategize effectively. This report is a game-changer for academic institutions looking to align their programs with market demands and optimize their recruitment strategies. Watch out for this space as we prepare to launch it in the coming few weeks with our partners. 🚀 Looking Ahead: This initiative marks the beginning of our efforts to expand similar research across other industries and countries. Stay tuned as we continue to bring valuable insights to various sectors in Asia. If you are interested in collaborating or learning more about our services, we invite you to get in touch. #HigherEducation #MarketResearch #UniversityInsights #Malaysia #EducationTrends #PartnershipOpportunities #Rascasse