A recent graduate tracer study (GTS) conducted by the Faculty of Science (FoS) and the Directorate of Quality Assurance (DQA) has revealed that graduates from the Faculty are enjoying remarkable success in the job market, demonstrating high employability rates. This finding underscores the effectiveness of the university’s academic programs in equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to excel in their careers.
The study surveyed graduates from 2006 to 2023 in BSc. (Chemistry option), BSc. (Physics option), BSc. (Zoology/Botany option), BSc. in Biochemistry, BSc. in Actuarial Science, BSc. in Biomedical Science and Technology, BSc. in Statistics, BSc. in Computer Science and BSc. in Applied Aquatic Science.
The study indicates that a significant percentage of graduates from the Faculty of Science have secured employment within three years of graduation (77% of the respondents), with many securing positions in industries closely aligned with their fields of study. Among the employed respondents, 29.6% were working in the public sector while 70.4% were in the private sector. Additionally, 14.2% were self-employed. This impressive employability rate reflects the university's commitment to offering a curriculum that is not only theoretically robust but also practically relevant to current market demands. Employers consistently report high levels of satisfaction with these graduates, praising their technical expertise, critical thinking skills and adaptability to various work environments.
Key competencies and soft skills that have contributed to the high employability of these graduates include problem solving (94.7%), team player (94.2%), self-motivation (93.1%), collaboration (93.1%) and critical thinking (92.6%). For self-employed respondents, key competencies contributing to their success included creativity (88.9%), ability to work independently (88.9%), time management (82.2%), communication (82.2%), decision making (80.0%), entrepreneurial (80.0%) and problem solving (80.0%). The university has placed a significant emphasis on developing these competencies and soft skills which are increasingly being sought after by employers in a diversity of industries.
The high employability of the Faculty of Science graduates is a testament to the university's strategic vision of empowering students to succeed in an increasingly competitive job market. Through a combination of high-quality education, industry collaboration and skill development, the university is shaping the future workforce, ensuring that its graduates are not only employable but also leaders in their respective fields.
This graduate tracer study affirms the university’s role as a leading institution in producing highly capable science professionals, ready to meet the challenges of today’s dynamic workforce.
