PETALING JAYA: Malaysian graduates’ employability improved despite the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, says Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.

       The Higher Education Minister said last year’s graduate tracking research showed that graduates’ employability rate at the national level was at 85.5%, an improvement from 84.4% in 2020.

       Noraini also said Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates’ employability marked a one percent improvement to 88%, from 87% in 2020.

       She was speaking at the 2021 Excellence Appreciation Ceremony and the ministry’s monthly assembly on Thursday (March 31).

       A total of 110 officers from the ministry, she said, received excellence awards.

       “Excellence is not merely measured by achieving job targets, but also evaluated by serving with integrity.

       “In other words, excellence is not a skill, but a reflection of ourselves.

       “As civil servants who serve the people and country, I call on the ministry to take on every instruction, assignment and responsibility given with trust,” she said during the ceremony that was live streamed on Facebook Thursday.