MUKAH: The marketability of Mukah Polytechnic graduates (PMU) increased to 95.13 per cent last year (2018) compared to 92.3 per cent in 2017.
Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education (DPCCE) senior director for Competency, Dr Mohd Rashahidi @ Rusdi Mohamood said that out of 998 graduates of Mukah Polytechnic, 950 of them were able to obtain jobs or pursue higher education.
“In this regard, for the 12th PMU convocation, 998 graduates from nine diploma programmes will receive their diplomas and this number will continue to increase,” he said at the convocation ceremony in the PMU Multipurpose Hall, yesterday.
Mohd Rashahidi noted that Polytechnic Ungku Omar was the first polytechnic to be established in 1969.
“The establishment of a polytechnic at the time was due to a shortage of technical workers and qualified personnel to assist the enterprises and business.
“To date, 36 polytechnics are operating across Malaysia with 100,000 students and 10,604 lecturers as well as operating expenses amounting to almost RM1 billion a year,” he said.
Likewise, the success of PMU has greatly impressed Sarawak and the country.
“Also notable remarks are the partnerships between the PMU and the industry players such as the cooperation with Bank Rakyat Mukah Branch, Press Metal Sarawak, Department of Public Works Department and University College of Technology Sarawak which has helped many graduates to stay relevant in the nation’s job market.
“The role of the industry is not limited to the development of the curriculum but also provides opportunities for students to acquire practical skills,” he said.
He hoped graduates would constantly cultivate a high level of curiosity towards a more creative mindset.
“We want you to be constantly on the lookout for the potential to build your self-esteem more seriously and to make diplomas a foundation for advancing to a higher level in your career,” he added.
At the event, 70 graduates who achieved CGPA above 3.50 were awarded the Department head medal. Ferez Fernandez Sem and Michelle Francis Minggu received the director’s award for academic and co-curricular excellence.
