KOTA KINABALU: The Higher Education Ministry is strengthening its higher education system to ensure local graduates are equipped with the necessary skills to meet the demands of major investors in the technology sector.
Its deputy minister, Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, said it is important to align graduates' expertise with industry needs to minimise underemployment and job mismatches.
"This brings us to the issue of ensuring that we have a skilled workforce ready to fill positions created by these investors, including Nvidia, Infineon, AWS (Amazon Web Services), and others.
"Our main challenge is to ensure that the graduates we produce are aligned with industry demands," he said at a press conference after hosting an Iftar event with the media at a hotel here.
On Saturday, during the Sabah state-level Madani Iftar event in Tuaran, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged youths, parents, and those in the education sector to be prepared for careers in automation and the technology workforce.
Anwar said the country had secured investments related to chip-making, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence, among others, which require skilled workers.
Last month, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority reported that the Electrical and Electronics industry, which integrates digital technologies into industries, secured the lion's share of investments with RM55.8 billion, representing 46.3 per cent of the manufacturing sector.
Recognising the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, the Sepanggar member of Parliament said the ministry had taken steps to incorporate these fields into Malaysia's higher education landscape.
"As for educational institutions offering AI, automation, and technology courses, we established an AI faculty at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) last year.
"At the same time, almost all universities have begun developing their own technology-related programmes."
Earlier, Mustapha presented Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional (SSPN) Prime savings worth RM500 each to the children of 20 media practitioners.
SSPN is managed by the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).
"We have provided contributions to the children of media practitioners to encourage them to start saving through SSPN accounts under PTPTN.
"By saving early, these children will have financial support when they enter university, ensuring they do not fall behind in their education, particularly in gaining access to higher education."
Those who save in SSPN accounts are also entitled to tax relief until 2027.
Commenting on the RM11 billion in unpaid tertiary education loans owed to PTPTN, Mustapha said the government is exploring the best approach to achieve a win-win situation between PTPTN and its borrowers.
"PTPTN already has flexible repayment options in place. Those with outstanding loans are encouraged to visit PTPTN offices to discuss their repayment issues.
"If they are facing difficulties, we will not force them to pay, but will instead restructure their loans to ease their burden. We take all factors into account, so there is no need to feel pressured."
Source: New Straits Times