International Employability: Stakeholder attitudes at an international university in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper critically examines conceptions of international employability. Drawing on a study of stakeholder views on the employability curriculum at the Malaysia campus of a British university, the paper questions whether there is an identifiable notion of international employability. Contrasting the perceptions of Malaysians and expatriates, both lecturers and students, it is suggested that employability is a blurred, evolving and culturally based concept. In questioning the existence of an identifiable notion of 'international employability', the paper suggests that universities with large numbers of overseas/ international students and staff need to give more attention to understanding competing notions of employability. Moreover, universities with nationally diverse student bodies may need to develop multiple employability curricula to meet their varied needs.

Keywords

• graduate employability
• international
• higher education
• malaysia
• curriculum