13/04/2026
The Malaysian Career Fair (TMCF) 2026 🇲🇾
On 11 April 2026, PPL JPA London attended the official opening of The Malaysian Career Fair (TMCF) held at the Lancaster Hotel, London. This annual programme, organised by GRADUAN and UKEC, continues to serve as a key platform connecting Malaysian employers with high-potential Malaysian students in their final year of study in the UK.
This year’s event saw the participation of 22 organisations and companies from Malaysia with an estimated attendance of over 2,000 students. Employers set up booths to share insights on their respective graduate programmes, career pathways and opportunities within their organisations. In addition, forum sessions were held featuring industry representatives providing valuable perspectives on current industry trends and the Malaysian job market. Several employers also conducted interview sessions with a number of students successfully receiving conditional offers.
PPL JPA London also took the opportunity to engage directly with key industry players through a series of engagements:
Industrial Engagement 1/2026: GRADUAN
PPL JPA London met with the CEO of GRADUAN, Mr. Nabil Marie and gained valuable insights into the evolution of TMCF as a talent-matching platform. Discussions included the increasing competitiveness of Malaysian graduates abroad, the importance of soft skills and adaptability as well as GRADUAN’s continued efforts in bridging the gap between academia and industry. The conversation also touched on how JPA-sponsored students can better position themselves in the job market.
Industrial Engagement 2/2026: Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (PERKESO)
PPL JPA London had the privilege of meeting with YBhg. Dato' Sri Dr. Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed, Group CEO PERKESO alongside YBhg. Dato' Dr. Hafez Hussain, Executive Director of the PERKESO Rehabilitation Centre and YBhg. Dato' Hj. Asri Ab. Rahman, Head of the Employment Insurance System (EIS) Office. Their presence at TMCF reflects PERKESO’s strong commitment towards talent scouting among Malaysian graduates abroad. The organisation continues to attract talents in areas such as social security, employment services, rehabilitation management, and labour market policy to strengthen Malaysia’s workforce ecosystem.
Industrial Engagement 3/2026: Kumpulan Wang Amanah Persaraan (Diperbadankan) (KWAP)
PPL JPA London engaged with Encik Hazman Hilmi Salahuddin, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of KWAP. As a consistent participant in TMCF UK, KWAP actively recruits graduates for roles in investment management, finance and strategic operations. Their graduate opportunities are designed to develop future professionals in pension fund management and institutional investment. The longstanding relationship between JPA and KWAP remains significant particularly given KWAP’s role in pension administration. This engagement was also a meaningful reunion as both PPL and the CIO shared a connection from their preparatory college days prior to pursuing studies in the UK.
Industrial Engagement 4/2026: Khazanah Nasional Berhad
PPL JPA London met with Encik Shahrizal Mohd. Suffian, Executive Director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad. Khazanah continues to offer prestigious talent development pathways including the Khazanah Global Scholarship and associated graduate development initiatives aimed at grooming future leaders across key strategic sectors. As a regular participant in TMCF, Khazanah remains committed to identifying top Malaysian talent globally. Notably, Encik Shahrizal is himself a former JPA scholar from the 1990s who pursued his studies in the United States, reflecting the long-term impact of JPA sponsorship programmes.
Industrial Engagement 5/2026: Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank)
PPL JPA London also engaged with Puan Mahzatulshima Mohd Zahid, Group Chief Human Capital Officer of Malayan Banking Berhad and Mr. Jay Chan, Head of Global Markets UK, Malayan Banking Berhad UK Office. Maybank continues to offer structured graduate programmes such as the Global Maybank Apprentice Programme (GMAP), which provides comprehensive development through cross-functional rotations, leadership training and regional exposure. Both representatives are also former JPA scholars, having pursued their studies in the United States and Australia respectively, demonstrating the strong pipeline of JPA-sponsored talents within leading financial institutions.
Industrial Engagement 6/2026: IHH Healthcare Malaysia
PPL JPA London also connected with Ms. Nisa Hadirah Norazhar, Management Associate at IHH Healthcare Malaysia. IHH offers graduate and management associate programmes focused on developing future leaders in healthcare management, hospital operations, and corporate functions. These programmes provide structured training, professional exposure, and leadership development within one of the region’s leading healthcare groups. Notably, Ms. Nisa Hadirah is a former JPA-sponsored student under the Program Ijazah Dalam Negara (PIDN), further reflecting the diverse success pathways of JPA scholars.
Beyond industry engagements, it was encouraging to see strong participation from JPA-sponsored students. Many took the initiative to attend interviews, with some successfully securing conditional offers from participating employers.
Overall, TMCF 2026 not only continues to provide a valuable platform for career opportunities, but also highlights a meaningful narrative — many of today’s industry leaders engaging with students were once JPA scholars themselves. This serves as a testament to the long-term impact of JPA sponsorship programmes in nurturing talents who contribute back to the nation.
PPL JPA London remains committed to supporting and connecting our scholars with industry opportunities, ensuring they are well-positioned to transition into impactful careers upon graduation.
