u/thearavind5

Hi Everyone,

I am an international student planning my next steps and looking closely at UTM for their Msc in Computer and Microelectronics Engineering.

Given the recent shifts in Malaysia's tech landscape, I have a few crucial questions regarding the reality on the ground for international postgraduates:

1. How is the reputation of UTM’s Microelectronics/Computer Engineering department among MNCs in Penang and KL (like Intel, AMD, Inari, etc.)? Do professors have strong pipelines for industry projects or internships that accept international students?
2. As many of you know, the Ministry of Home Affairs updated the Employment Pass thresholds. For Manufacturing and Tech-related services, Category III now requires a minimum of RM 7,000 to RM 10,000, and Category II has jumped to RM 10,000+.
   • Given that entry-level or fresh Master's engineering salaries in Malaysia traditionally sit well below these marks, are semiconductor and semiconductor-adjacent companies actually offering these higher starting salaries to fresh international postgrads to sponsor an EP?
   • Or has this rule essentially frozen entry-level expat hiring in the semiconductor/IC design sector?
3. If you are an international alum of UTM Tech/Eng programs, did you manage to secure a local job post-graduation, or did you use the degree as a stepping stone to find roles in Singapore, Taiwan, or Europe?

Would love to get some candid, grounded insights from current students, expats working in the Malaysian semiconductor/IT sector, or HR folks.

Thanks in advance