Halal graduates in Malaysia: Balancing education, employment, and industry needs

Abstract

This article examines the overproduction of halal graduates in Malaysia and its implications for building a sustainable halal workforce. Using qualitative document analysis, the study synthesises policy papers, curriculum guidelines and industry reports to (i) trace the drivers behind rising graduate output in halal studies, (ii) identify the key factors that constrain absorption into halal-sector jobs, and (iii) assess impacts on employment sustainability and workforce utilisation. Findings point to a persistent skills-jobs mismatch arising from limited industry–university collaboration, uneven policy execution, and curricula that emphasise certification knowledge over market-relevant competencies (e.g., digital, regulatory, and operational skills). The analysis highlights gaps in labour-market signalling, fragmented internship and apprenticeship pathways, and weak tracer mechanisms to monitor graduate outcomes. The paper advocates for demand-led reforms, including co-designed curricula with industry, structured work-based learning, micro-credentials, and coordinated talent planning, all of which are linked to growth areas in the halal value chain. By reframing the issue from “graduate surplus” to “alignment and deployment,” the study proposes a pragmatic pathway to bridge the gap between graduate output and job creation, thereby advancing sustainable human capital development for Malaysia’s halal economy.