KUALA LUMPUR, 11 April 2026 — Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has strengthened its position as a leading higher education institution after being recognised as a leader in graduate employability under the Talentbank Graduate Employability Index, a national assessment determined entirely through feedback and validation from more than 1,200 real employers across Malaysia.

The prestigious recognition was presented at the Talentbank Graduate Employability Index Recognition Ceremony held at the Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur today.

According to Talentbank’s findings, the achievement reflects strong industry confidence in UPM graduates in terms of job readiness, professional competencies, workplace performance, and employers’ willingness to rehire based on positive experiences.

18 Fields of Study Earn 6-Star Employer Choice

In a remarkable achievement, 18 fields of study at UPM received the highest Talentbank 6-Star Employer Choice rating, placing them among the top five nationwide based on employer validation.

These fields are Aerospace & Aeronautical, Agriculture, Architecture & Building, Biotechnology, Business Management, Chemical Engineering, Communication & Broadcasting, Computing & IT, Economics, Education, Event Management, Food Sciences, Health Sciences, Language, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing, Public Relations and Sciences.

UPM also recorded outstanding achievements by ranking No. 1 among public universities in Agriculture, Economics, and Food Sciences, while maintaining its Champion status for five consecutive years (2022–2026) in Food Sciences.

UPM’s Commitment to Industry-Ready Graduates

UPM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Dr. Arifin Abdu, said the recognition reflects the university’s effective approach in ensuring that graduates are not only academically excellent but also aligned with industry needs.

“This recognition is a direct reflection of employers’ confidence in the quality of UPM graduates.

“We continuously ensure that our curriculum, industrial training, and student development are aligned with real industry demands,” he said.

He added that the achievement is in line with national aspirations to strengthen human capital development and enhance the country’s competitiveness.

Academia–Industry Synergy as a Key Driver

Meanwhile, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Graduate Employability (CEM) UPM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hizmawati Madzin, emphasised that strong industry collaboration is a key factor behind this success.

“UPM’s strength lies in its close collaboration with industry. Through a data-driven approach and employer validation, we ensure that every academic programme produces graduates who are trusted and sought after by the market,” she said.

She further noted that the 6-star ratings across multiple disciplines demonstrate that UPM’s graduate employability is not limited to a single field, but is comprehensive and consistent.

Strategic Platform for Industry Engagement

The ceremony, attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Higher Education, also served as a strategic networking platform to strengthen collaboration between government and universities. The Ministry’s strong support for Talentbank initiatives was evident through its active involvement in enhancing graduate employability across higher education institutions.

The event further provided a valuable platform for engagement between universities and industry, with the participation of leading companies in Malaysia.

The Talentbank recognition serves as a key national benchmark in assessing how effectively universities align academic training with real industry needs, further reinforcing UPM’s reputation as an employer-preferred university in Malaysia – CEM.

Date of Input: 13/04/2026 | Updated: 13/04/2026 | hendrik