In an effort to enhance our learning experience and better prepare students for the professional world, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH) recently hosted a sharing session featuring an expert speaker from the Industry. The sharing session was conducted under the Wacana Industri & Komuniti 2024, organised by the Office of Deputy Dean (Industry & Community Engagement). This initiative serves as a platform to offer exposure, valuable networking opportunities, career guidance, skill development, and to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world practices. These sessions keep students updated on the latest trends, skills and technologies.
Our guest speaker, Mr Jona Anak Kerani, did a sharing on his industrial and community experience. Mr Jona is currently the Director of Malaysian Investment Development Agency (MIDA) Sarawak. MIDA is an investment promotion agency (IPA) under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) for the development of the manufacturing and services sector in Malaysia. Mr Jona has been with MIDA, in various position since 2004. Over the last 20 years, he was serving in different divisions – including Technical Division, Life Sciences & Medical Division, Oil & Gas Services Division, Foreign Investment Division and Building Technology & Lifestyle Division.
Mr Jona is also an alumni of FSSH – he graduated with his Master in Environmental Management (Development Planning) (SLUSE) in 2004. Prior to that, Mr Jona did his undergraduate degree in International Economics & Business from the Faculty of Economics and Business, UNIMAS.
A total of 95 participants, mostly second year students, attended the session. One participant, Noreen Ezra Anak Remang, expressed that she gained valuable insights from the talk, particularly on the importance of understanding the culture of stakeholders in the industry. The talk also opened her eyes to the realities of the professional world, highlighting the need for students to be well-prepared for these challenges.
Sharing similar sentiment, another participant, Abdul Muhaimin bin Gani, expressed his appreciation for gaining new perspectives that expanded his understanding of the industry, particularly regarding the role of MIDA in development. He highlighted their commendable efforts in community involvement and negotiating collaborations both domestically and internationally. Abdul Muhaimin emphasized the importance of preparedness and staying ahead of competition, a valuable takeaway from the session.
Dr Regina Garai, Deputy Dean (Industry & Community Engagement), said that FSSH recognizes the importance of real-world insights for academic and personal growth and this platform helps to provide students with knowledge and perspectives that seasoned and experienced professional can offer. She believes that the sharing session had inspired and motivated the participants and enriched their overall learning experience.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Jona expressed his willingness to contribute back to the Faculty as our SLUSE alumni. Looking forward for more collaborations!
Watch this space for the next Wacana Industri & Komuniti FSSK 2024.
If you are interested to know more about SLUSE Master programme, contact AP Dr Wong Swee Kiong (swkwong@unimas.my) or browse our website for details.