08/06/2025
Dear Parents,
If you have children who just completed their SPM and are exploring university options, I urge you: please don’t fall into the influencer trap. Yes, some of them are entertaining, persuasive, and have slick videos — but they are not qualified to determine your child’s future pathway.
When it comes to university placement, the only qualified individuals to advise you are those who hold official academic or administrative positions within the university itself. Not someone with a ring light and a strong opinion.
Let me humbly share some practical tips — a little firm, maybe slightly sarcastic, but genuinely meant to protect your child’s future:
1. Meet the Program Coordinator.
Not a social media reel. Not a TikTok breakdown. The Program Coordinator — the one who actually runs the program. Bring your child along. This is their future too.
2. Ask about Accreditation.
Is the program Fully Accredited (FA) or still under Provisional Accreditation (PA)? If PA, ask: when is the first batch graduating? Are they even close?
3. Speak to the Dean if possible.
Yes — the Dean. Most private institutions welcome this engagement. Ask about the program vision, student journey, and employability. Qualified people give qualified answers.
4. Be courteous to the Marketing Team — but firm.
Thank them for their time, then politely request to speak to the Program Coordinator and Dean for academic clarification. You're not shopping for a gadget — you're investing in a career.
5. Ask about Industry Linkages.
What partnerships does the university have with industry? How does the program ensure graduates are job-ready? Four certificates won’t mean much if the graduate can’t solve real-world problems.
6. Don’t rely on social media influencers.
Many of them have no background in education, no involvement in curriculum design, and no experience in MQA processes. They’re influencers — not qualified academic advisors.
7. Ask about Graduate Employability.
Push for evidence. Ask: What percentage of graduates are employed within six months? In what sectors? Talk is cheap. Data matters.
8. Check if AI is integrated into the syllabus.
In 2025, any course that doesn’t address AI, automation, or tech literacy is outdated. Ask how the program is preparing students for the future.
9. Ask who’s teaching.
How many lecturers are on board? Are they academically qualified and experienced in industry? Especially for technical or applied programs, this is critical
In short:
Make decisions based on qualifications, not clicks.
Be informed. Be assertive. Ask the right (qualified) people the right questions.
Because your child’s future is not a social media experiment.
