The International Webinar on Student Development "Ways to Success" (WATS) was held on 14 May 2022 (Saturday) which involved three invited panels namely Dr. Drs. Chandra Setiawan, University Putra Malaysia (UPM) international alumni class 2012 and Dr. Mohd Sabri bin Pak Dek also Encik Mohd Firdaus bin Zakaria, UPM local alumni class 2010 and 2009 who have worked abroud. The topic discussed was about their experiences throughout studying at UPM until they were able to get a career in Malaysia and abroad. The session began with a sharing of panel's background and experience in their career. Dr. Drs. Chandra Setiawan is an international alumni who took his Doctorate Degree in Finance at UPM. Now, he is responsible for the whole academic affairs, research and development, financial reporting and performance, and other management functions. In addition, he is also a senior lecturer at President University, Indonesia for 30 years until now. Next, is Dr. Sabri bin Pak Dek who pursued his study at the University of Guelph, Canada taking a Doctorate Degree in the field of plant agriculture specialization. Now, he is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Food Science and Technology, UPM. The third panel is Encik Mohd Firdaus bin Zakaria who received his bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Science from UPM and later pursued his master’s in Business Administration (Corporate Governance) at the Graduate School of Management UPM. He later moved to the United Kingdom in July 2016 as a First Secretary under the High Commission of Malaysia in London. The conversation continued with sharing from the alumni about their journey, challenges also sweet and bitter memories throughout their studies at UPM until they are able to get a job within and outside the country. The panel explained the important elements or criteria needed by each individual to guide them to be accepted in future employment. In addition, the panel also gave a few life guidelines that can be practiced by students who wish to work and live outside the country. They also recommended the students to continue their studies abroad if given the opportunity as such opportunities are hard to seize. The conversation end with the panel gave words of encouragement to the student to stay focused in their studies so that they can get the jobs opportunity as they wanted within or outside the country. Opportunities present in life will only visit once, so students are advised to seize all opportunities that come. Effort is the ladder of glory. Therefore, strive persistently to obtain the best career in the future.

Date of Input: 07/06/2022 | Updated: 07/06/2022 | zulkif