NEWS: Searching for a star

STUDENTS from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) will be the first in the country to compete in an online reality career development show.

Dubbed D’Graduate, it will feature groups of undergraduates competing in an elimination style competition broadcast live online.

During the competition, candidates will not only be tested as individuals but also as a team in a series of tasks dealing with different disciplines in business.

The elimination process will be via online voting, whereby anyone can pick candidates at the D’Graduate website.

MyPath Sdn Bhd managing director Jenna Loh, the co-organiser of D’Graduate, said its business simulation games will draw out key strengths of participants including their leadership abilities.

“The winners will secure placements as management trainees in leading corporations.”

Loh added that participants would also enjoy free posting of their resumes on the D’Graduate web portal as well as StarJobs Online.

“Through my experience interviewing fresh graduates, I realise that there is a need to help guide them especially those who are ‘lost’ and unsure of which career path to follow.”

D’Graduate can help employers find candidates with the right attitude and aptitude.

“Fresh graduates are not prepared for the corporate culture that exists in these companies, so they have difficulties blending in.”

Programme director Mollie Yeoh said D’Graduate offers a win-win solution for undergraduates and potential employers.

“For the undergraduates, the objective is to gain the necessary hands-on learning experience, self-esteem and marketability.

“For potential employers, the primary objective is to minimise risk and add value to their businesses by getting the right person for a position.”

MIRC Incubator Sdn Bhd CEO Andrew Wong said D’Graduate is a worthy project that seeks to equip undergraduates with the skills necessary for the challenging working environment, both in Malaysia and abroad.

Intrenasionale CEO Andrew Chan said his company is glad to have the opportunity to contribute its expertise and experience to the project.

Assoc Prof Dr Shahizan Hassan, director of the Centre for University-Industry Link at UUM, said D’Graduate is an exciting way to tap into the talents of students.

Jaring Communications, the official technology partner, said it was happy to be associated with the project.

“We want to help equip undergraduates with the right knowledge and skills,” said its CEO Dr Mohamed Awang Lah.

The show will be officially launched at UUM’s Sintok campus on Tuesday. The Star is the media partner for D’Graduate. For information go to
www.dgraduate.com.