JOHARI ENCOURAGES UUM STUDENTS TO MASTER MULTIPLE LANGUAGES TO ENHANCE EMPLOYABILITY

SINTOK, April 13 (Bernama) -- Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul encouraged Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) students to acquire proficiency in at least four languages as a value-added skill to enhance their employability.

He said university students should take full advantage of their time on campus to master multiple languages.

"Master Malay as our national language, English as the global lingua franca, Mandarin for business, and Arabic, for example.

"By mastering multiple languages, you can’t go wrong. Employers will actively seek out UUM graduates. That’s why the university should consider making it compulsory for students to learn four languages.

“I truly believe God gave us limitless brains,” he said during the Outreach Programme – Leadership Talk: Nurturing Future Leaders with the Speaker of Dewan Rakyat, held at the UUM Convention Centre, also attended by vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Mohd Foad Sakdan.

Johari also urged the students to organise more off-campus activities, including visits to other universities, to broaden their horizons and knowledge. 

“UUM Sintok isn’t going anywhere. So, get out there and explore the world. Don’t let yourself be too confined by the system,” he said.

He noted that with today’s technological advancements, students in both urban and rural areas now have equal access to knowledge.

“Most places have internet access now. It’s up to us to fully utilise the technology available. There’s no excuse for knowledge not reaching children in remote areas,” he added.

Meanwhile, he offered words of advice to students aspiring to enter politics, prompting them to be well-rounded individuals equipped with academic excellence and a presentable appearance.

“You won’t just be answerable to the people but also to God. What did you do when you had power? So be a wise and responsible representative of the people,” he said.

-- BERNAMA