Fanitsyara Kam Phon, who works in the information technology (IT) industry, said public universities tend only to follow the government’s reactive approach when developing STEM courses, especially in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and IT.
“AI has been a global conversation for over a decade and has now become a buzzword, but only now has Malaysia started to establish initiatives like the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO), showing how reactive we are,” she told FMT.
Fanitsyara, a graduate from a public university in the Klang Valley, said this could leave future STEM graduates unprepared. She said those entering the workforce over the next six years may face industries drastically reshaped by AI, with only 20% of IT jobs requiring human workers.
“AI capabilities are advancing, and while we assume certain roles still require human interaction, the balance between AI and human workers is shifting.
“In six years, AI could take over up to 80% of IT jobs, leaving only 20% for human workers and eventually leaving no room for some of these graduates,” she said.
Fanitsyara said public universities were lagging behind their private counterparts when it comes to aligning their academic syllabuses to industry needs.
“Academics at private universities are highly attuned to industry needs, ensuring their programmes remain future-proof.
“This is lacking in public universities. There is movement but it is not as vigorous,” she said.
Workforce preparation
Tan Wei Siang, a software engineering graduate from a private university, said that while private universities tend to keep pace with industry standards, the education system as a whole has not been able to equip students with evolving AI and data analytics skills.
Having been part of the hiring process, Tan said many companies are struggling to find competent AI and data-related talent.
“In my previous company, my manager received 30 to 40 applications to fill five or six data-related roles but only considered one or two candidates.
“This is because many graduates lack AI and data knowledge as these subjects are not adequately covered in university programmes,” the former data scientist said.
He added that students must take the initiative to develop relevant skills beyond their curriculum, but universities still play a crucial role in workforce preparation and should include interdisciplinary education within STEM courses to equip students with these skills.
Last month, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim proposed that 70% of students in fully residential schools enrol in the STEM stream starting next year to strengthen expertise in these critical fields.
He said there was an urgent need to boost student participation in STEM, given its significance in national development, especially as companies like Infineon, Nvidia, Google and Microsoft invest in Malaysia, and with AI continuing to boom.
Look beyond AI
Meanwhile, Mogesh Sababathy, a marine biology graduate and a PhD candidate in molecular biology and genetic engineering, is concerned that Malaysia’s focus on AI and tech may overshadow the need for critical environmental roles.
“In other countries, such as Australia, marine biologists have real career paths but in Malaysia, there’s little recognition for critical environmental roles, which is a loss because we are a maritime nation.
“Many have jobs where they’re called a marine biologist, but end up working at a resort or chalet, promoting the hotel and taking care of dive shops,” he said.
Mogesh said the nation needs more experts in marine and environmental science.
The government should support this by expanding the marine industry and investing in the blue economy, he said. - FMT
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