Curtin Malaysia x MYFutureJobs Careers Fair connects job seekers with employers, spotlights future workforce needs

Miri, Sarawak – 17 August 2026 – More than 1,500 students, job seekers and members of the public converged at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) for the Curtin Malaysia X MYFutureJobs Careers Fair 2026, strengthening connections between education, government and industry while opening doors to employment and career opportunities.

Held from 13 to 14 August at the university’s Recreation & Event Centre, the Careers Fair featured around 50 organisations representing a broad range of industries. It marked a significant milestone with the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), through its MYFutureJobs platform, joining Curtin Malaysia as an official partner for the first time.

The collaboration aims to strengthen graduate employability and regional talent development by connecting students, graduates and job seekers directly with prospective employers.

Officiating the event, Telang Usan Assemblyman and Chairman of the Sarawak Tourism Board Dato Dennis Ngau stressed that traditional qualifications alone are no longer sufficient in a rapidly changing workplace shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, renewable energy and digitalisation.

“Our graduates must be adaptable, innovative, resilient, and committed to lifelong learning,” he said, commending the Curtin Malaysia-PERKESO partnership for helping ensure that educational investments translate into meaningful economic opportunities.

Dato Dennis also called for greater opportunities for rural youth from the vast Baram interior, which encompasses a substantial portion of the Miri Division’s land area, to pursue higher education and professional careers. He proposed that Curtin Malaysia adopt rural schools such as SMK Long Bedian through initiatives including career talks, STEM workshops, mentorship, digital learning and English-language enrichment.

“Let us build a stronger bridge between Miri and the rural interior of Baram, between the university and our rural schools, and most importantly, between today’s students and tomorrow’s opportunities,” he said.

Curtin Malaysia Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Professor Vincent Lee highlighted the university’s more than 10,000 alumni, who are contributing across Sarawak, Malaysia and around the world in areas including infrastructure, energy, digital transformation, research and sustainable development.

“Our graduates are contributing to major infrastructure and energy projects, driving digital transformation, advancing research, and supporting sustainable economic growth,” Professor Lee said.

He highlighted that Curtin Malaysia has also been recognised for three consecutive years as one of Malaysia’s Employers’ Preferred Universities in the Talentbank National Graduate Employability Index and its current graduate employability rate exceeds 90 per cent, reflecting strong employer confidence in its graduates.

“Universities educate and inspire, but meaningful collaboration with industry ensures our programmes remain relevant, our students gain real-world experience, and our graduates are equipped to meet emerging workforce needs,” Professor Lee added.

Beyond recruitment, the two-day event featured panel discussions examining the forces shaping Sarawak’s economy and future workforce.

The first, “Powering Sarawak’s Future: Energy Transition, Technology and Career Opportunities,” explored emerging career pathways in the state’s evolving energy landscape. Moderated by Curtin Malaysia Senior Lecturer in Chemical and Energy Engineering Dr Evelyn Chiong, the panel featured Indiran Nadarajan, Head of End-User Sales & Prescription at Schneider Electric; Ko Sin, Senior Vice President at Sarawak Energy Berhad; and Professor Raymond Chiong Choo Wee, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Science at Curtin Malaysia.

The second panel, “From Classroom to Career in an AI-Powered Workplace,” examined how artificial intelligence is reshaping organisations, workplace expectations and recruitment. Moderated by Dr Tian Qian Hui, Head of the Department of Management and Marketing at Curtin Malaysia, the panel featured Yau Jin Hui, Human Resource Director at Schneider Electric; Evelyn Tan, Legal & Human Resource Director at Uniqlo Malaysia; and Bryan Chen, Chief Audit Officer at Shin Yang Corporate Services.

Also attending the opening ceremony were PERKESO Miri Branch Manager Jimmy Hendrick Anak Kijon; Curtin Malaysia senior management; Chin Li Yen, Manager of Careers and Alumni Relations, and Nicholas Leong, Manager of Corporate Affairs, as well as faculty deans, employers and industry representatives.

The successful Careers Fair underscores Curtin Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening industry engagement, supporting employability and contributing to the long-term development of talent and communities in Sarawak.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Students and job seekers arrive for the Careers Fair.

Attendees connect with employers at the Recreation & Event Centre.

Job seekers take part in on-the-spot interviews.

Professor Vincent Lee presents a souvenir to Dato Dennis Ngau as Jimmy Hendrick Anak Kijon looks on.

Curtin Malaysia, PERKESO and industry representatives gather for a group photo.

Dato Dennis Ngau receives a souvenir from Jimmy Hendrick Anak Kijon.

Curtin Malaysia and PERKESO representatives visit an exhibition booth.

Students and job seekers attending one of the panel discussions.