Empowering future leaders - how Sunway University is cultivating a culture of success through values, holistic career support, and alumni networks.

• Sunway University's Student LIFE team spoke to Studiosity's Chief Academic Officer Prof Judyth Sachs about student success
• Sunway University graduates have unique attributes that lead to enhanced career outcomes
• The Careers & Employability part of Student LIFE shares their award-winning three part strategy

At an impressive gala dinner back in May, Sunway University 's Director of Student Life - Ms Lee Siok Ping, received an award for "Outstanding Support for Students", presented by Times Higher Education and supported by Studiosity .

Ms Lee received this prestigious award for her very successful program, Holistic Career and Professional Development Support: Empowering Future Leaders.

In a follow up interview with Studiosity's Chief Academic Officer Prof Judyth Sachs , Ms Lee and Rose Devaraj (Head of Careers and Employability at Sunway) took Prof Sachs through some of their unique strategies, values, and programs that foster student success at Sunway, and how they are aiming to cultivate a "generation of giving" among their alumni.

>> Note: You can listen to the full interview podcast here.

First, Prof Sachs asked Ms Devaraj to talk through their Award-winning program of holistic career and professional development. Ms Devaraj explained the three pillars of the program:

1. The 'Career Readiness Programme' guides students through self-exploration, hands-on experiences and employment preparation, equipping them with practical skills, career insights and job placement opportunities.
2. The 'Mentoring Programme' connects students with experienced alumni mentors, fostering knowledge sharing, career guidance and personal growth. This programme goes beyond mentorship, nurturing lasting relationships.
3. The 'Industry Mastery' part of the programme leverages industry partnerships to expose students to diverse sectors, enhancing their competencies and bridging the gap between academics and the professional world.

Strong values leading the way, at Sunway

Ms Lee Siok Ping elaborated on Ms Devaraj's response, about the mentoring programme specifically:

Our alumni are strongly encouraged to come back to mentor our current students. We are giving them the opportunity to give back to their alma mater, which is part of giving back to society... It's a philosophy that we [follow] very much at Sunway. We also instil our values in our graduates, we want them to be "a class above".

Ms Lee then explained the core values of Sunway University: excellence in everything you do, the importance of integrity, and - finally - humility.

As successful as you are, we think you can continue to be successful by being humble.

Unique graduate attributes attract more businesses

Prof Sachs' next question was "What makes a Sunway graduate? How can you tell a Sunway graduate apart?" Ms Lee pointed out their high rates of graduate employability, and the fact that so many businesses and industry partners participate actively in the Sunway career fairs - they run the largest career fairs in Malaysia. Businesses and industry understand that Sunway graduates are desirable.

Ms Devaraj added that employer feedback surveys have indicated that Sunway graduates display high levels of confidence and proactiveness, that makes them very popular employees.

Another of the outcomes from the programme, particularly the 'industry mastery' component, is that students are able to get a sense of the importance of "culture" in a workplace. Through exposure to a particular organisation, students can reflect back on what their values are, and what kind of workplace culture they want to seek out after graduation.

A passionate team with support from the top drives a culture of success

The trio discussed how having a passionate team, with support from the top, makes all the difference to Sunway Student LIFE. Close to 50 colleagues work alongside Ms Lee and she feels that they know why they are in this line of work, that they are all as passionate as each other in wanting to make a difference in young people's lives. Meeting with those alumni who come back to support current students at Sunway is what motives her, and inspires her.

We always say that [graduating is] more than just have having a paper qualification. So we believe character of an individual is very important. That's why we put a lot of emphasis on values, and here we are actually setting up a culture that we ask our students to be a giving generation. We want them to to have a mindset not just on the self, but also thinking of others.

They concluded the interview by discussing what 'magic' solutions there might be, to ensure ongoing student success. Ms Lee Siok Ping said that while the magic "doesn't happen overnight", and there is much work left to do, she can see the growth in strength of their programs throughout her 36-year tenure at Sunway University.

You can listen to the full 28-minute podcast episode on Apple podcasts , Spotify , or your preferred podcasting service. Or you can watch the video version here .

Find out more about Sunway University 's Student LIFE program here: https://student.sunway.edu.my/campus-life/careers-employability