Mohd Yassin Kabir - Political Science

What is your full name?

Mohd Yassin bin Kabir

What year did you graduate?

2001

What was your IRK & Human Sciences major in IIUM?

Political Science

What is your Current Position & Company?

Director of Operations, Bejaia Mediterranean Terminal, Algeria

What are your responsibilities & achievements at this current position?

Responsible for overall operations of the Container Terminal including subsidiaries businesses with the partner company.

Please share your work history, companies you've worked for, your responsibilities in each role and your achievements in those roles

• May 2014 till to date - Director of Operations, Bejaia Mediterranean Terminal, Algeria. Transferring the knowledge with the local staff and plan for improvement of Overall Container Terminal Operation. With the majority of French speaking local staff, this job is quite tough since it requires patient and common sense in dealing with the local staff who mostly came with no education and exposure in the business.
• 2012 to Dec 2013 - Senior Manager, Operation at Jeddah Islamic Port Container Terminal. Responsible for overall Terminal Operation and handling around 400 staff who are majority Expatriates from 8 different countries. Formulating and Implementing ideas and plan to improve the Terminal Operation and achieved high results in overall Terminal Productivity. Improved Human Resources policies and procedures and manage to reduce issues in Manpower Deployment.
• 2002 to 2012 - Start the career as Management Trainee at The Malaysia's biggest Port Operator, Westport Malaysia Bernard and end up my Career as the Senior Manager of Container Operation. Responsible of 700 staff in handling Container Terminal Operation. Formulate the plan and strategies in business and implementation of new ideas to improve the productivity.
• 2001 to 2002 - Operation Executive, MISC Haulage and Trucking. Responsible in the overall deliveries of containers in Klang Valley. Also dealing with the local Port Operators on the container shipment.

What are some of the challenges you faced as a IRK & Human Sciences student while you were studying at IIUM?

Challenges as a IRKHS Students is definitely being seen as 2nd Class students compared to Law, Econs and Engineering Students. This is just an inferiority complex which we as IRKHS Students should avoid from the 1st day. Our opportunity is almost equal as the other majors and I guess no one failed to get job over the years.

What are some of the challenges you faced as a fresh graduate?

Definitely in getting the right job based on our major but if we are not choosy, then we can get a job but again, how much passion we have in our job will definitely bring us in some level in the future. I had that experience and I did it! This is not my field and I manage to go thru it and be at the level where I'm now.

What advice would you give to IRK & Human Sciences students seeking to pursue careers using their qualifications?

• Do not be choosy when looking for a job.
• You may have your ambition and go for it.

What else would you like to tell the IRK & Human Sciences students currently studying at IIUM?

Good Luck in your studies and just move forward. You'll find opportunities out there. No worries.

If you would like to ask more, email to: myyassin77@gmail.com