By Azreen Azirinee Azizi
GOMBAK, 1 August 2016: Persidangan Parlimen Mahasiswa 2016 (Undergraduate Parliamentary Proceedings 2016) is considered an appropriate platform for university students to voice out their views and ideas to the government. This was the impression most participants of the proceedings formed upon completion of the programme recently.
This annual event which was organised by Majlis Bekas Wakil Rakyat Malaysia (MUBARAK) or the Council of Former Members of Parliament Malaysia in collaboration with Parlimen Malaysia (Malaysian Parliament) and Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi  (Ministry of Higher Education) gathered some 210 students from 26 institutions of higher learning (both public and private) around Malaysia.
IIUM students were among the participants of the programme.
According to Deputy Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the government has always welcome any ideas and voices from the students. However, he said, students should convey their ideas and voices intellectually through proper channels.
One of the participants, Zulhamka Rosli, a Communication major said, œI joined this programme for self-improvement and to upgrade my knowledge about the parliamentary system in Malaysia.
Zulhamka said this programme has also given students a great opportunity for them to improve their soft skills.
“It helps students to debate national issues which concern students as a whole.  Students are given a chance to speak their mind  to the authority on issues of concern. We hope our ideas will be acknowledged by the authority.”
Muhamad Anwar Rahmat, an Information Technology major, said he benefited by observing how the topic has been presented, learning the speech techniques as well as debating the issues.
The main motion discussed during the programme was regarding the policy on the Pelan Pembangunan Pendidikan Tinggi Malaysia œSoaring Upwards (Malaysia’s Higher Education Development Plan Soaring Upwards), which has been the Ministry’s tagline, popularised by the Minister of Higher Education, Dato Seri Idris Jusoh. The motion was in relations to the role of university students in helping Malaysia to prosper.
A significant issue that is worrying most students is the issue of employability among graduates in the light of the decline of employability rate among students from public institutions of higher learning. According to statistical information, 80% of the  job market is currently dominated by graduates from the private sector institutions of higher learning.
Zulhamka Rosli shared his views on the issue. He said, œOne of the reasons is the lack of communication skills, decision making skills and other soft skills. It shows that the students have serious problems with such skills.
He added, œWe need to realise that CGPA alone is not a guarantee to secure job after graduating, but then employers would like to see our capabilities in handling the job.
Ulya Aqamah Husamudin, a Law major and a member of Students’ Representative Council (SRC) has an important message to share. He said, œIt is important for the students to know that we are the voices and leaders of tomorrow. Its time that students take charge and be concerned of national issues and policies.
Ulya urged students to be the change agent by voicing out their opinion using proper channels.
Other topics discussed during the two-day programme included internationalisation, alumni collaboration, political awareness among students, and social entrepreneurship.***
