Leadership practices and employment readiness : a case study of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) students

Abstract

This study focuses on the leadership practices and experience among International Islamic University’s students. The purpose of the study is to understand how students experience leadership practice in university and translate it into practice. Therefore, we explore the benefits they gain from those practices as well as the challenges they have to face in balancing their academic and co-curricular lives while developing their leadership practices. This study employs qualitative research design. It uses purposive sampling to interview six alumni; four females and two males who have graduated from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The qualitative data from the interviews are organized into themes and sub-themes. The major findings of this study reveal that a majority of the alumni experience leadership practices through activities organized by the university and active participation of students in co-curricular activities. The results have implications on two major aspects; the leadership practices among students as well as the system implementation by management of the university. The leadership implication will help students identify the best practices of leadership in university which suits their needs. System refers to other activities and co-curricular plans which can be organised for future needs. Finally, this study recommends students to be more proactive, attentive and productive in ensuring that they are taking full advantage of the system in order to gain leadership practice in preparation of their working lives..