Identifying The Generic Skills Amongst Malaysian Undergraduate Students: An Analysis of Gender Differences

Abstract

Kertas ini membincangkan kemahiran generik yang diperolehi oleh pelajar prasiswazah dan ia seterusnya meneroka perbezaan mengikut jantina. Sampel seramai 460 pelajar prasiswazah dari tiga buah universiti awam di Malaysia telah ditinjau menggunakan satu inventori 54 item. Analisis statistik deskriptif, ujian–t dan analisis diskriminan telah digunakan. Kajian ini mendapati pelajar prasiswazah secara umumnya memberi respon yang positif dalam kebanyakan komponen yang terkandung dalam kemahiran generik. Walaupun dalam sampel ini, bilangan pelajar prasiswazah perempuan melebihi pelajar prasiswazah lelaki, pelajar prasiswazah lelaki didapati menilai kebolehan mereka lebih baik daripada pelajar prasiswazah perempuan dalam kebanyakan kemahiran. Kemahiran komputer dan kemahiran komunikasi menjadi pembeza efektif dalam menerangkan perbezaan gender. Kajian ini memberi implikasi yang bermakna kepada pelajar prasiswazah, majikan dan pembuat dasar. Kata kunci: Pekerjaan; perbezaan gender; kemahiran generik; pelajar prasiswazah This paper discusses the generic skills acquired by Malaysian undergraduate students in general and it further explores the differences between genders. A sample of 460 undergraduate students from three public universities in Malaysia was surveyed using an inventory of 54 items. Descriptive statistics such as, t–test and discriminant analysis were employed in analyzing the data. The study found that the undergraduate students generally tend to respond positively to most of the components in prescribed generic skills. Eventhough the sample of female undergraduate students was higher than male undergraduate students, it seemed that the male undergraduate students tended to rate their own abilities higher in almost all skills. Computer skills and communications skills were effective differentiators in explaining genders differences. The research has brought meaningful implications for undergraduate students, employers and policy makers. Key words: Employment; gender differences; generic skills; undergraduate students