DEEPER study is necessary before the Higher Education Ministry moves to shorten the study duration for programmes in public universities from four to three years, an employers’ group and an academic said.

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) told The Malaysian Insight that while the idea was borne out of good intentions, thorough research is needed.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia academic Mazlan Ali said shortening the period of study would make it difficult for students to cope with workplace conditions.

“If universities shorten the length of study, will it benefit the graduate once they enter the real world? Can they fulfil the demands in a workplace?

“The ministry needs to look through this in greater detail. Of course you can make the course shorter but will students grasp everything within the period they are in university?

“Many fresh graduates now have to choose (work) which they didn’t study for. There’s a lot of qualification mismatch in the market,” said MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin.He added that if the government wanted to shorten the study period for undergraduates, it should then prolong the duration of internship.

He said this would enable students to learn quickly in the real world.

“If you shorten the course and there’s no internship programme, it would be a lost cause for the students. If you want to shorten the course, the internship programme should be a year, at the least.

“Then once they graduate, they already have 12 months of work experience with exposure to a working environment and job scope,” he added.

Kamarul said the ministry should engage with relevant stakeholders if they are seriously considering shorten the course period for undergraduates.

“They should get feedback from us. If we could share some knowledge on how to improve this plan, it would be great for the country,” he said.

Last week, Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said public universities are set to introduce a hybrid and flexible learning system for undergraduates this year.

He said students enrolled in the system would only attend lectures in their first and final years.

It was reported that 19 public universities are ready to offer flexible learning first-degree programmes for the 2023/24 academic session.

Khaled said the duration of study for 44 programmes in nine universities would be shortened from four to three years.

Students need time to adapt

Mazlan, however, said having a shorter study period may hamper students’ ability to communicate effectively in the workplace as they would not have enough time to build on their social skills.

He said based on his experience, students who attend hybrid classes online do not communicate as well as those who completed their study course by attending physical classes.

“Students will be burdened with busy schedules as they will need to finish their studies faster, compared to those who study for four years.

“For hybrid classes, students with no internet connectivity will be left behind. B40 families and those in rural areas will find this difficult.

“The idea to shorten the study period needs more research and engagement.

“Another concern is that with a shorter study period, students won’t have enough time to develop their social skills as they are not participating in classes, in campus programmes and in other activities.

“Once they enter the working world, they will find it hard to adapt,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bank Employee Union Malaysia (NUBE) secretary-general J. Solomon said both employers and employees can benefit a shorter period of study as long as the university syllabus offers a comprehensive learning process.

He said a long or short course will not make a difference in the job market.

“Social skills can be learnt at work. It must be taught by employers through relevant education and comprehensive training during work.

“Lack of academic excellence or social skills is always a reason for employers to pay low wages to employees but with comprehensive syllabus, it can be overcome,” Solomon said. – June 14, 2023.