By Azra Farzana Shuib
GOMBAK, 17 February 2017: Group President of SEG International Berhad, Datuk Mohamed Azahari Kamil today reminded an audience of KIRKHS lecturers here that academicians should help the students to become capable interns and employees.
He stressed that intellectuals should have the ability to mould the students from being timid to bolder, more competitive people. Besides that, it is important to get updates from interns weekly to see their improvements.
“Take them as they are and make it right,” he said, adding that lecturers should “encourage them to speak in class.”
Datuk Azahari, who is also an Adjunct Professor of IIUM gave his talk at the ‘Internship and Career Opportunities for IRKHS Students’ session here at Al-Tabari Conference Room. The special session was organised by the Office of Industrial Links IIUM.
He also emphasised the importance for the university to expose the industrial realm by engaging students to high-ranking executives as they have a vast knowledge of the industry and they know where the companies are heading to.
“With quality input, you can have quality outcome, and this quality outcome must attain certain level of excellence,” he said.
He told IIUMToday that industry networking must be implemented by all universities, and it must be integrative and constant.
“This can happen provided they have the right motivation and the right passion.” He added, “Without that interaction I think the chances of employability is going to be difficult. So as long as we are constantly engaging with the industry, I think the education institution will benefit in terms of providing the right human set skills for the employability.”
Responding to questions from the floor, he encouraged lecturers to entertain students’ problems and needs, including interacting with them on social media.
“Keep abreast of technology, or you’ll be lost in this world,” he told.
He cited an experience where he has helped medical students who had to wait for a long time for their result transcript, and with his help and influence, their faculty has given them the priority they needed.
Datuk Azahari was proud that he could be at service. He also reminded the audience that by being kind to students, it will only benefit the lecturers as when the students become successful, they will reciprocate the lecturers’ kindness.
Meanwhile, he reminded students who are doing internship to be more inquisitive while they are at it.
“Tell your students to ask your employers at the end of the day, ‘what are other things that need to be done?’” He was quoted as saying, “their bosses will be more than happy to answer that.”
He also shared extra tips for IIUM interns with IIUMToday, “I think it’s important for them to have the right attitude for the internship. The internship is not about any speciality, it’s about the ability and opportunity to engage with people, to create the network, as well as to have good communication.”
He added, “They also need to foster good relationship and understanding in working as a team – the success of the corporations would be dependent on teamwork.”
“What’s most important is that they are now trying to have a different experience from the academic experience. So, industrial experience must be taken advantage of to build as much network and relationship as possible.”
While mentioning that the economy is now growing, he also said that opportunities for Bumiputra are abundant, provided that they have the right education and attitude in taking advantage of the economy.
“As you know our economy is growing at about 4.2%, there are many potentials overseas and even China is interested to invest in Malaysia. So, for the Bumiputra market, there is a lot of potential, especially in the areas of construction, development, and finance,” he said.***
