Unveiling the Employability Landscape: Chinese International Doctoral Students in Malaysian Universities

Abstract

Malaysia has been actively striving to establish itself as an international education hub, and has successfully attracted a significant influx of Chinese international students pursuing their doctoral degrees. However, doubts persist regarding the quality of Malaysia’s higher education and the employability of its graduates, particularly when viewed through the lens of stakeholders in China’s labour market. This research sought to address these concerns by delving into the essential graduate attributes highly regarded by Chinese doctoral students enrolled in Malaysian universities and identifying aspects of Malaysian higher education that might influence students’ employability. Employing a qualitative approach, the research underscores the significance of various types of capital, with a considerable emphasis on human capital, encompassing academic qualifications, research competence, and English proficiency. Additionally, it sheds light on the pivotal role of quality research supervision, the availability of continuous training opportunities and psychological support within the programme, and the degree of collaboration between Malaysian universities and Chinese industry as factors critically impacting the participants’ perceived employability. These findings aim to offer essential guidance for educational institutions and policymakers in aligning academic programmes with the evolving demands of the global labour market.