JOHOR BARU: Persatuan Mahasiswa Anak Johor (Johor Undergraduates' Association) should be revived in all local universities as it acts as a platform for Johor students to share their ideas and opinions, says Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

       The Johor Crown Prince said that he had earlier met with Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad at the Royal Johor Polo Club where they discussed various issues on education.

       “I have also suggested the revival of Persatuan Mahasiswa Anak Johor in all local universities. This will be a platform for Johor students to carry out various activities and programmes while sharing their ideas and opinions.

       “These associations will be part of the larger Gabungan Mahasiswa Anak Johor (GAJ). New activities and events will also be organised under GAJ such as an inter-university football tournament,” he said in a Facebook post here Sunday (April 24).

       Also present at the meeting on Sunday (April 24) was the Ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar and its director-general Datuk Dr Husaini Omar.

       Tunku Ismail said he also hoped that Johor would become a preferred local and international education hub.

       “Johor also needs a forward-looking higher education policy, which includes incorporating the use of experiential learning to inculcate 21st century skills.

       “The design and delivery of education modules needs to leverage cutting-edge technology to enable more personalised learning.

       “At the same time, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) must also be given priority to generate more skilled workers for various industries and improve graduates’ employability,” he said.

       He noted there were many graduates who are still unemployed and the starting salary of fresh graduates for local universities has been low, indicating their low marketability and a mismatch between the demand and supply of skills.

       “This issue is not just an impact of the pandemic but a systemic problem that has been around for many years. Currently, the number of university students graduating exceeds the number of available jobs.

       “If we do not address this issue immediately, there will be a growing population of educated but jobless youth,” he said.

       He said the issue needs to be addressed quickly and systematically to help graduates improve their future employability.

       “The Minister has assured me that the ministry is looking into these issues at the moment,” he said.

       Tunku Ismail also noted that the first movement control order two years ago had caused a huge disruption for both varsity students and lecturers due to the abrupt shift to online learning.

       “Issues such as limited access to smart devices and poor Internet connection caused many students to struggle and led to low self-motivation.

       “The divide between the privileged and less fortunate university students has widened in the past two years, where the more privileged students are way ahead in obtaining valuable education,” he said.

       He urged universities and educators to keep in mind the impact of the two years of online learning was different between the privileged and less privileged.

       "Efforts must be made to cater for this difference and ensure the less fortunate students are not left behind.

       "I hope all Johor students continue to work hard and excel in public universities," he said.