PETALING JAYA: The Rehda Institute Youth Initiative (RIYI) 2026 held its first corporate mentorship session, bringing together up to 50 selected students from more than 15 universities nationwide. The first of three sessions under the year-long mentorship programme introduced participants to corporate mentors and early career expectations to help bridge the transition from university to working life.
The initiative comes at a time when improving graduate employment outcomes remains a national priority, with more than 1.6 million graduates remaining in skills-related underemployment, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
“RIYI is more than a mentorship programme. It represents a strategic response by strengthening collaboration between universities and industry and giving students earlier exposure to real workplace expectations through engagement with experienced corporate leaders. RIYI aims to help close critical skills gaps, strengthen graduate employability, support earlier career progression and contribute towards safeguarding Malaysia’s competitiveness and project delivery capacity over the coming decade,” said Rehda Institute chairman and Ayer Holdings Bhd independent non-executive director Datuk Jeffrey Ng Tiong Lip.
“From a talent strategy standpoint, employability is about building leadership pipelines, not just filling roles. Initiatives like the REHDA Institute Youth Initiative give employers early visibility of talent and shape graduates through real-world expectations, accelerating their transition into adaptable contributors with long-term leadership potential,” said TalentCorp Malaysia independent non-executive director and Likei Logistics Sdn Bhd chairman Chan Leng Wai.
“Universities play a pivotal role in shaping graduates who are not only academically capable but also industry-ready and future-focused. Initiatives such as RIYI highlight the importance of sustained collaboration between universities and industry partners to ensure students gain earlier exposure to workplace expectations and evolving professional pathways. From a university standpoint, strengthening these partnerships helps align academic preparation more closely with real-world practice while supporting Malaysia’s longer-term pipeline of adaptable, future-ready talent,” said Wollongong University Malaysia chancellor and Rehda Institute trustee Datuk Seri Michael Yam.
Students participating in the programme represent universities across Malaysia, including Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), Poly-Tech Malaysia University (UPTM), UCSI University, Inti University, Help University, Taylor’s University, Sunway University, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Monash University Malaysia and University of Wollongong Malaysia.
The programme is supported by corporate partners Sime Darby Property Bhd, Paramount Corporation Bhd, Avaland Bhd, Feruni Ceramiche Sdn Bhd, Far Capital Sdn Bhd and Progressture Solar Sdn Bhd. The second and third mentorship sessions are scheduled for June and September.
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