Key Factors of Malaysian Public Universities’ Entrepreneurship Programs in Enhancing Graduate Employability: Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This study examines the impact of entrepreneurship programs in the context of Malaysian public universities on graduate employability through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) guided by the PRISMA model. A total of 390 articles published between 2010 and 2025 were sourced from Google Scholar, Emerald Insight, and ScienceDirect. The analysis highlights those initiatives, such as the New Breed Marketing Entrepreneurs (NBME), KPT-Career Advancement Programme (KPT-CAP), and digital entrepreneurship training, aligned with the Higher Education Institutions Entrepreneurship Action Plan 2021-2025, have effectively enhanced skill development and graduates’ employability. Additionally, the review considers the influence of earlier national policies, including the Ninth Malaysia Plan (RMKe-9) 2006-2010, which aimed to boost employability through entrepreneurship and industrial training to meet the objectives of Dasar Keusahawan Nasional 2030, where this strategy is to bring Malaysia into entrepreneurial nations by 2030. Key factors identified include the enhancement of generic skills—critical thinking, creativity, and communication—and the cultivation of an entrepreneurial mindset. The findings emphasize the role of university-industry collaboration, Work-Based Learning (WBL), and institutional policies’ alignment with labor market needs. Continuous curriculum improvement, qualified facilitators, and long-term program assessment are essential. Strategic expansion of industry partnerships and experiential learning is recommended to better prepare graduates for employability and self-employment in a rapidly evolving economy