On 11 and 12 April 2025, the Malaysian Students’ Association in France (MASAF), in collaboration with the Malaysian-German Students’ Society (MGSS) and German Educare (GEC) hosted a virtual career fair for Malaysian students in France and Germany. This virtual fair provided opportunities for these students to engage directly with employers and learn about the career paths available upon graduating.
Where Vision Meets Purpose
At its heart, the event carried a clear yet impactful mission which was to connect Malaysian students studying abroad with prospective employers. The participating companies, primarily French and German firms operating in Kuala Lumpur and other major cities were especially relevant to students familiar with international corporate environments.
These students, equipped with international exposure and global perspectives, represent a valuable and often under-tapped talent pool. For companies, the event wasn’t just about recruitment. It was also about discovering potential changemakers who could bridge global insights with local growth.
A Collaboration Built on Community
This annual career fair is the result of a meaningful partnership between MASAF and MGSS with the support of the Young Global Leader (YGL) programme under MyHeart. This year, the event welcomed GEC into the organising circle, widening students’ network and helping to bring new energy and ideas to the table.
The fair drew 133 students and 11 employers across tech, engineering, finance and business, with 85 resumes submitted, evidence of its strong relevance and impact. Organising a cross-border event was no easy feat. Weeks of planning, outreach and strategy calls played a crucial role in ensuring the success of the event. The result? An impactful and seamless experience that brought together students, company representatives and partners from different countries.
Being A Young Global Leader (YGL) Partner
Behind the scenes, MyHeart emerged as one of the key driving forces behind the events’ success. Through industry connections, MyHeart was able to get 8 additional employers onboard in addition to the original 3 employers which the student association connected with independently. This spanned from various industries such as tech, engineering, finance and business.
MyHeart also acted as a central hub for event information, registration and application submissions. Having the event available on the platform opened doors to both students and employers who had interest in participating.
The Virtual Experience
To provide a more interactive experience, the event was hosted on GatherTown where participants walked their avatars through a colourful virtual hall filled with company booths, one-on-one meeting rooms and even a lounge area for casual chats.
Some students came in suits (yes, even virtually); others popped in between classes with resumes ready. “It felt like a real fair,” said Atul, a student from Grenoble Ecole Management (GEM), France. “I got to ask questions directly to recruiters, and they even remembered me from the info session!”
Student Voices: Real Impact, Real Connections
“I told one of the employers that I’m currently searching for an internship in Malaysia, but it was quite hard because I live in Negeri Sembilan while most companies are based in Kuala Lumpur. From this session I learned that they have an office in Seremban. They were very helpful, and I got a lot of new insights during this event!” – Aina Huda, second-year student in SKEMA Business School, France.
“It was a great way to explore job opportunities in Malaysia while still studying in France. It felt smooth to connect with companies and I especially like the interactive and informative environment on the platform.” – Arba’ah, fresh graduate, France.
Students’ feedback demonstrated that the event successfully achieved its objectives, allowing employers to introduce their companies and helped students to find opportunities even while being far from home. Beyond the numbers, the fair opened doors and planted seeds for future careers—many students left feeling more confident, informed and inspired.
What’s Next?
Not long after the event was held, other student associations such as Badan Perhubungan Negara UK & EIRE (BPN UKE) and Majlis Perundingan Mahasiswa Malaysia Mesir (MP3M) reached out to explore potential collaboration opportunities and suggestions for improvements for future similar events. Their interest demonstrates that the event was not only impactful for students in France and Germany, but also sparked curiosity and interest among Malaysian students in other countries.
The MASAF x MGSS x GEC Virtual Career Fair has not only grown in size but also impact compared to previous years. With students and companies expressing interest in follow-up engagements, it’s clear that this annual tradition has become a cornerstone for the Malaysian students community abroad.
Written by Ameerah Asya, Bureau Director of Corporate Relations (MASAF)
Edited by: Yap Hern Kang, Member of Corporate Relations (MASAF)
