Does a Degree Still Matter Today? ICMS Shares a Realistic View of the Next 10 Years

For many years in Malaysia, a degree has been seen as the main path toward stability and career growth. It remains an important qualification, but the way employers evaluate talent is changing. At ICMS, we observe this shift through our own students, industry partners and alumni. The world is not rejecting degrees. It is redefining their meaning.

From our perspective as a university college, a degree still holds strong value. It provides structure, discipline and a foundation of knowledge that many industries require. Fields such as business management, sports science, computing, enforcement and hospitality still rely on academic grounding. Employers appreciate graduates who understand theory and can bring maturity into the workplace.

However, industry conversations today sound very different compared to ten years ago. Companies are asking for skills that move faster than traditional academic cycles. They want graduates who can adapt to new tools, understand digital systems, handle real projects and think critically. Many employers tell us that they value a degree but they value proven skills even more.

This is where the debate begins. Some people claim degrees are no longer necessary. Others insist degrees remain essential. At ICMS, we see truth on both sides. A degree alone is no longer enough and skills alone are not always sufficient. The future belongs to those who combine both academic grounding and practical capability.

Over the next five to ten years, the workplace will continue to evolve. AI, automation and digital transformation will reshape industries. Certain roles that once required degrees will shift to skills based entry. At the same time, new professional fields will emerge that demand deeper academic understanding. This creates a landscape where neither extreme argument is fully right or wrong.

For us as an institution, this changing landscape guides how we design our programmes. We integrate Work Based Learning, project based assessments, industry certifications and hands on training into our diploma and degree pathways. Our goal is to ensure students graduate with both the qualification and the skills that employers want. We work closely with industry partners to keep our programmes relevant and grounded in real practice.

In this new era, the question is not whether a degree matters but what kind of degree matters. A degree that focuses only on theory will struggle. A degree that blends academic knowledge with applied learning will thrive. Students who embrace lifelong learning and pick up new skills along the way will have the strongest advantage.

From ICMS’s perspective, degrees will continue to play an important role in Malaysia’s future. They give structure, confidence and credibility. At the same time, we must acknowledge the need for agility, real world experience and continuous upskilling. The debate will continue but one point is clear. The winners in the next decade will be those who learn deeply, apply boldly and adapt quickly.

By Pramila Hari Singh

Chief Executive

27.11.2025