ANALYTICS OF ACADEMIC PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION IMBALANCES BY STATE AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES FOR GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY IN MALAYSIA (2018-2023)

This study was conducted to analyze the imbalance in the distribution of academic programs by state and its implications on graduate employability in Malaysia from 2018 to 2023. The primary objective of the study is to assess whether states offering a higher number and diversity of academic programs tend to record better graduate employability rates compared to those with limited program offerings. Secondary data were obtained from official sources such as the Department of Higher Education Malaysia, the Department of Statistics Malaysia, and the MyGRAD Tracer Study. A descriptive and correlational analysis approach was applied using data on the distribution of academic programs and graduate employability rates from 2018 to 2023. The findings show a consistent positive correlation between academic program distribution and graduate employability in most years. States such as Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor recorded both a high number of academic programs and employability rates exceeding 85%. However, in 2020, a negative correlation was observed due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the labor market, resulting in a decline in employability even in advanced economies. States such as Kelantan, Perlis, and Labuan recorded consistently lower employability rates throughout the study period, in line with their limited program offerings. In conclusion, the study supports the hypothesis that a balanced and strategically aligned distribution of academic programs, especially those responsive to industry needs, plays a significant role in improving graduate employability across Malaysian states.