Annual Review 2014 | Page 20

Employment and Career Development The Industry Engagement Strategy 2014 – 2015 was developed to better coordinate the campus’ external engagement, including strengthening the existing Employment and Career Development (ECD) data by identifying priority relationships for the campus and the schools. The appointment of an Industry Engagement Manager in November has been key in steering this forward. A revamped Internships and Careers Fair was held this year with a record 3,197 visitors and included representatives from 45 companies, 19 career talk sessions and three workshops. In October, the University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hong Leong Bank, in which the public-listed financial institution agreed to offer 10 internship placements for Monash Malaysia students. This new partnership was pioneered by Hong Leong Bank Chief Financial Officer Ms Foong Pik Yee, a Monash alumna who trusted in her alma mater to pilot the bank’s placement program. Such partnerships continued to reflect the confidence of global employers in the quality of our graduates. In the annual 2014 Global Employability University Ranking, polled by the French Human Resources consultancy, Emerging, and German polling institute, Trendence, Monash University was voted the best university in Victoria and second in Australia from which to hire graduates by global recruiters. On a wider perspective, Monash graduates were placed at a respected 33rd position in the world in the survey. The survey was concluded based on the views of 4,500 major company managers and recruiters in 20 countries. In assessing what employers were looking for in university systems around the world, employability was the number one criterion for 37.1% of the respondents – and Monash Malaysia is proud that our graduates are highly regarded on this scale. Events and Graduations 2014 was a busy year for campus events which saw Monash Malaysia staff and students hosting over 700 events. In April, the campus hosted the largest graduation ceremony to date with three sessions hosted for 683 graduands. Distinguished speakers were invited to grace these ceremonies, namely, Dato’ Sri Nazir Razak, Group Chief Executive, CIMB Group; H.E. Rod Smith, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia; and Tan Sri Dato’ Dr M. Jegathesan, former national Olympian and renowned medical doctor. Two graduation ceremonies in November graduated an additional 507 students. Sunway Group’s Group Chief Executive Officer for Education and Healthcare Mr Lee Weng Keng, who was conferred the Doctor of Laws honoris causa, delivered a graduation address in one of the ceremonies. Ms. Zainah Anwar, founder and Executive Director of Sisters in Islam, delivered the address in the second ceremony. 18