Intelligent decision support system for degree selection using AHP technique

The application process for entry into public universities in Malaysia, handled entirely by the University Centre Unit (UPU), has a major drawback as often the degree programme offered to students does not match their field of interest. The Degree Selection System (DSS) used for this study is designed to assist students to select the most appropriate degree programmes that match their field of study. The methodology used in this study is the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) while Holland's Six Personality Types is used to identify the student's field of interest. The expected finding will display a list of programmes that matches the students' field of interest and they will have the freedom to choose eight of them.

I. INTRODUCTION

The increasing unemployment rate in Malaysia has become a worrying trend in recent years. According to the Department of Statistics of Malaysia, the unemployment rate for October 2010 was 2.8 percent. The rate increased to 3.3 percent in September 2011. Then, it decreased to 3.0 percent October 2011. Although, it is a small percentage, the 3.0 percent is actually equivalent to 3,768,000 unemployed citizens. One reason that may contribute to this worrying percentage is their performance in their university life does not meet the industry standard. Why? One reason is that their degree major does not match their interest. When this happens, students' performance is usually at the average level. Studies have shown that having their major according to their interest will influence the success in their university life [1], [5].