This article is contributed by Dr. Anita Paul, a Senior Lecturer from the Yunus Social Business Centre at Sunway Business School.
As educators, we often have our heartfelt stories and acquire deep insights over the years that shape our perspectives.
A former Japanese student I taught and mentored visited Malaysia with his wife on their honeymoon. He was a hardworking and humble student who struggled academically due to limited English proficiency. After discovering his exceptional singing and guitar playing at a Talent Show I organised, I encouraged him to enter a national Malay song competition by the Ministry of Higher Education, which he won. His volunteer involvement in charitable events, paid gigs and increased social interactions helped improve his confidence, his command of English and academic performance. He graduated successfully and later secured a position with a major automotive company in Japan.
The importance of student development
Having previously led a Student Affairs department, student development instilled in me the importance of empowering individuals through skills training, collaborations, and personal growth opportunities. I found great fulfilment in working with young people on leadership development, community initiatives, social impact projects, competitions, and music programmes. Through these experiences, I witnessed how capabilities can flourish when individuals are supported by people who believe in them and invest in their potential.
In view of World Youth Skills Day, celebrated on 15 July annually, we cannot deny that we live in a skill-driven economy where one’s value is to be demonstrated and not just listed on a CV. For our graduates to be not only work-ready but also socially conscious, experience and exposure are among their greatest teachers. Experiential learning allows students to navigate real-world scenarios, whether through collaborations with student organisations, industry partners, or non-governmental organisations.
Through volunteer training programmes and research in service-learning, I have witnessed how these experiences shape young adults beyond credentials, fostering heightened awareness of self and surroundings. When identified skills lead to impactful project outcomes, project leaders could speak about them in their job interviews. Such was the case of the Japanese ‘rockstar’ who made his involvement in music charity events a conversation piece to his employers, which created a lasting impression. Employers strive to know the personality behind the paper qualification and the skills gained behind every experience.
Preparing youths for the real world
In terms of crucial skills for today’s workforce, I recently encountered conversations with parents who are concerned about AI taking over jobs and how higher education might be viewed as irrelevant. I respond that it is the intangibles that matter. My hope for my own sixteen-year-old is that she captures the experience of learning about herself and the world, and embraces opportunities to develop skills from industry and community engagement. This way, she will understand that the true value of education lies in the learning journey itself. The worth of a paper qualification gives a gateway to employment, but it is who that paper represents and what they can offer that matters.
According to Forbes, digital AI competency was among the most sought-after skills in 2025. However, in 2026, the most valuable career skills are those that complement AI rather than compete with it, particularly leadership. Employers continue to place a high value on self-management and emotional intelligence, while the World Economic Forum identifies resilience, stress management, and flexibility among the top ten skills needed for the future workforce.
Integrating community engagement and social causes into pedagogy creates meaningful opportunities for skill development, enriching the learning journey for both educators and students. In recent years, I have incorporated social enterprise collaborations into the business curriculum, helping students strengthen their practical skills while developing a stronger sense of purpose. Meaningful impact is rarely achieved alone; it is often the result of strong connections and collaboration. By investing in our students’ talents and capabilities, we empower them to become global citizens who value community and understand the importance of supporting one another in their aspirations.
Also read: A Shared Gift of Reading: Sunway University & BookXcess Collaborate For World Book Day
