#8 | Is a University Degree Still Relevant? | Idris & Leon Jala

Dato Sri Idris Jala is a former minister (ranked by Bloomberg in 2014 as the top 10 most influential policy makers in the world) and Chairman of PEMANDU Associates and Heineken Malaysia, as well as Co-Chairman of Sunway Group.

Leon Jala is a pastor at HTBB Church where he serves as the Director of Content and Co-head of Creative. He is also a Board Member of PEMANDU Associates where serves as Interim Chair.

In this episode, they discuss the importance of learning on the job, tackle the relevance of a university degree in the age of e-learning and how to handle burnout.

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[murudaran]

Hi Nick,
It’s so heartwarming to know that you have incorporated our podcast as part of your Friday weekly routines.

@Leon Jala and I are really pleased that you are taking our podcast seriously. In our forthcoming episodes 9-16, Leon and I will cover 8 practical steps that you can take to pursue your own game of impossible. We hope that our listeners will greatly benefit from these practical action steps.

Thanks.
Idris

[nehemiahlee]

DS Idris, I m so glad u so generously shared about the inside story of how u turned around MAS through segmented P&L . This clears the misconception that u achieved it through asset stripping. U deserve to be properly recognised for yr significant contribution to the nation . Thank u for generously shared the secret of success that all can learn from it

[claritymade]

9:59 great story. and it is always romantic to hear how people got their jobs during simpler times

[EricHome-ce]

Message by Iris - The letter "I am the man you are looking for"

[nicklausho]

Hello DSIJ,

I just wanted to say thanks for the great sharimgs. I love listening to your and Leon's podcast every Friday morning. It's become something I really look forward to each week.

I learn so much from you both. Every episode is packed with things to learn, and I can't wait to hear more. The way you and Leon work together is amazing. It's something I respect a lot and hope to do too with my dad and kids.

Best wishes,
Nicklaus 🤗

[EricHome-ce]

Game if the impossible message is here

[osemurang]

Enjoyed all the podcasts which I listened to while walking in the park. While building our stamina for our second 2 weeks of Camino Pilgrimage walk in the summer, I take comfort from your dialogues. Takes away the boredom of repetitive rounds yet that’s a great way to prepare my stamina for the actual long and arduous walk. And besides, learning and walking - gaining serious knowledge and stamina.

[chingchinglee]

Truly enjoyed the podcast. We need more of this kind of podcast.

[avtarsinghgill]

Good Morning DS Idris & Leon. This interesting debatable topic on University Education vs Experience gave me an indepth reflection what we went thru at University & hw experiences in our life long learning process hv shaped our mindset & oulook of the future transformation for our present generation. Both education & learning experiences are equally important in todsy's Era of Technological Advancement where we need to hv "Knowledge Workers" for transformation process to succed for the betterment of our lives. Thks for sharing this enlightening & interesting Episode 8.

[EricHome-ce]

I think it is a very pertinent discussion topics for everyone.

[ling]

Firstly, I just discovered this podcast and it is one of my top, most fave one. The topics are real and relevant. I love that the convos have gold nuggets from old school and 'new school' poured out. Please do more of this.

On the subject of curriculum in tertiary education, I have been guests of a few colleges and during my review, the curriculums are not updated! That's pretty shocking. Maybe, just maybe... the academia is bound by certain restrictions. I hope things change and change quickly not just because the cost of tertiary education is a bomb now, but it's about paying attention to what's relevant and in turn, equipping the next gen to be excellent in the workforce and contribute to the country. Another thing colleges and unis are not doing well is to teach their students to work on their resumes and how to nail interviews. It's telling when hirers receive emails from the students applying for internships. 3 months internship to me is rubbish. Do 6 months to a year. Some things need to shift. I hope the unis step up otherwise, yeah, why not get paid courses like Udemy and so on. We need to do better.

Like many others, I have my story of how I started my life after SPM. I enrolled into a local college, worked in the industry and for sure la it was not easy juggling between classes and work. I knew that I will not regret it, so I press on je.
Now, as a parent to a teenager who will embark on tertiary edu soon, I hope for my kid to get practical experiences earlier on and not just when it's time to actually get a job.

I'm pretty inspired by you two. I have a lot to learn from you guys - anointed and made for such a time as this.

[kokolalap]

Tq for the good sharing in this podcast.
Thank you for the discussion on burnout especially how it impacts the high performer and high performing team. Finding the right balance between self, family and work is crucial to avoid burnout.

[shafinastaib]

Love watching your videos. Brilliant when you collaborate/include in your dad's views and experiences for the viewers to learn. All the best to you both 👌 looking forward for more

[dannymason]

My personal best experiences is working with International Company such as Coca Cola (M) Bottlers S/B & Linde International. HR recruitment management selection process purely on experience on real Market experience & know Ur Territory Well & open & willing to learn new knowledge & implementation lastly execution. Gratitude for the opportunity given. Bless Everyone & Everything 🌏❤️🙏🇲🇾🙏 Ooohaa4life.

[ruralparadise]

Thanks for sharing your wisdom you've earned over the years around the globe.

[PeehoaSong]

Nice to see this podcast
We got to know deeper. I hope the airline can give us free ticket instead of empty seat to those shareholders during MAS went in to PN 17 times. At least we still can get to travel.

[mifzalmohammed]

Very excited to see the reference to Deschooling Society. It was a really good introduction to questioning our current outlook on education when I was in university.

A book you might be interested in on the same subject is “Education Is Upside Down” by Eric Kalenze. It’s a diagnosis about failures in the American education system but there are a lot good nuggets of insight in the book that are globally applicable.

Similar to your suggestion in the podcast that time spent in universities could be halved if we seriously reformed curriculum and pedagogy, the writer observes that education systems start to fail to meet its objectives when it is unfocused and loses sight of its true north. Essentially, trying to be too many things to too many people all at the same time.

Leon’s story about the unfortunate chicken curry was also very relatable, haha.

Enjoyed the episode and really enjoying the podcast!

[dannymason]

DSIJ know & love music regardless U like it or not. Totally Respect for your age and for the Young & Not So Old, do learn & try give a chance to Self especially Music., ❤

[nubasmokehouse]

Interesting Topic..I do agree with Mr Idris, that duration of Program in University perhaps to be shorten ..but again Sir, university can’t simply shorten their program as it have to adhere to the MQA requirements..Perhaps MQA needs overhaul ..what is your view on this Sir..

[dannymason]

Good Evening to Both, Father & Son Very Energy & Power Vibe ❤️. Me totally Happy & Enjoy to subscribe Ur channel at every social media channels. Great & keep it Up. Ooohaa4life 🇲🇾🌏❤️😎🙏 Shalom