By Yip Wai Fong
PETALING JAYA: Rehda Institute Youth Initiative (RIYI) has presented the findings of its 2026 survey, which was conducted across 21 Malaysian universities and employers on graduate expectations and employer perspectives, to the Ministry of Economy.
The report, executed with the aim of presenting a candid, evidence-based view of where student expectations and employer realities currently align and where they do not, was presented to Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir at the RIYI 2026 town hall event at Monash University Malaysia recently.
The event brought together 50 students from 15 collaborating universities, alongside students from six other universities, with senior industry leaders for practical exposure to workplace expectations, career development, leadership and the skills required in a technology-driven economy.
“A university qualification provides an important foundation but young people also need to understand how workplaces operate, how decisions are made and what employers expect from them.
“This is where RIYI plays an important role in bringing students closer to industry through direct engagement and mentorship while helping them develop the judgement, resilience, communication and adaptability needed to build sustainable careers,” said Rehda Institute chairman Datuk Jeffrey Ng Tiong Lip.
Among others, the survey findings point to a need for graduates to develop practical judgement, problem-solving and adaptability alongside digital skills. The Thirteenth Malaysia Plan places AI and digitalisation at the centre of Malaysia’s economic transition and calls for collaboration among the public sector, industry and academia to equip talent with advanced technology skills.
Ng added that engagement with industry leaders gives students access to workplace lessons that cannot be gained purely from textbooks, helping them understand what it takes to progress from fresh graduates to future leaders.
RIYI is Rehda Institute's employability and talent development programme for Malaysian university students and recent graduates. Launched in 2026, RIYI is an industry-led mentorship programme that connects undergraduates and recent graduates directly with chief executive officers, business leaders and senior professionals who bring practical perspectives on workplace expectations, career development and leadership.
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