PENANG, 11 April 2026 – ViTrox, together with its education arm ViTrox College, successfully convened a high-impact CEO Panel Forum during its “Experience Day” to address the critical graduate underemployment crisis currently affecting the region. The forum brought together industry titans and academic pioneers to advocate for a radical realignment of tertiary education with real-world industrial requirements
Addressing the Underemployment Crisis
The forum featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Dato’ Chu Jenn Weng (Co-founder and CEO of ViTrox), Mr Chan Kee Siak (Founder & CEO of Exabytes), and Dr Janaka Low (Principal of ViTrox College). The panel addressed a sobering statistic: currently, approximately 1 in 3 graduates in the region are underemployed—working in roles irrelevant to their degrees or in positions that do not require a tertiary qualification.
Dato’ Chu Jenn Weng emphasised that this crisis is largely driven by a lack of industry experience and a widening "expectations gap" between traditional academic curricula and the fast-evolving needs of the technology sector.
"The struggle these graduates face is the exact reason why we started ViTrox College," said Dato’ Chu Jenn Weng. "We are not just building a college; we are building a bridge. By immersing students in a real industrial environment from day one, we eliminate the friction between learning and doing."
A Tailored Experience for Students and Parents
The event also featured a specialised dual-track programme designed to provide both parents and students with a comprehensive look into the future of technology and education. While students participated in high-energy, hands-on workshops and peer-led sharing sessions, parents were guided through an immersive tour of the newly opened Innovation Lab. A standout feature of the day was the direct access to practising industry engineers, who bridged the gap between theory and practice by providing live technical demonstrations and sharing firsthand insights into modern engineering career paths.
A major highlight of the day was the opportunity for parents and students to visit and experience ViTrox’s newly launched, state-of-the-art Innovation Lab. Representing an investment of almost RM60 million, the lab serves as a shared facility for students and working professionals pursuing Industrial MSc or PhD programmes, fostering high-level research within a professional setting.
The event also saw participation from local schools, with students taking part in interactive workshop activities designed to spark interest in high-tech manufacturing and software development. Throughout the day, education advisors were on hand to provide personalised consultations for families navigating the transition from secondary to tertiary education.
By opening its doors to the public and showcasing the RM60 Million Innovation Lab's significant capabilities, ViTrox and ViTrox College reaffirm their commitment to talent development and the long-term growth of Malaysia’s technology ecosystem.
