Give incentives to get more grads into research, govt told

 An academic says the national budget must continue to ensure Malaysians are not denied educational opportunities because of financial barriers.

The 2027 budget should include initiatives to encourage graduates to take on research-specific roles, says a think tank chief. (Magnific pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The 2027 federal budget should highlight equitable access to education, advanced talent development, and turning research into action, says the chairman of a research and policy institute.

Shahir Liew.

Shahir Liew, who heads the advisory council of the Asian Institute for Policy and Engagement, said access to education remains important to students from underserved and lower-income backgrounds.

The national budget, therefore, must continue to ensure Malaysians are not denied educational opportunities because of financial barriers, he said. The government should also roll out initiatives to encourage graduates to take on research-specific roles, and also postgraduate pathways to help meet its goal of 200 researchers, scientists, engineers and technologists (RSET) per 10,000 members of the workforce.

Citing data from the higher education ministry, Shahir said that as of December 2025, postgraduate enrolment stood at approximately 114,600 students, representing about 9% of higher-education enrolment.

“One important but underutilised source of future RSET talent is the large pool of experienced engineers, scientists, technologists and professionals already working in Malaysian industry,” he told FMT.

According to the Malaysian Science and Technology Information Centre (Mastic), the country had approximately 55 researchers per 10,000 workforce in 2023.

“Flexible, part-time and industry-embedded postgraduate research pathways can help convert existing expertise into research and innovation capability,” Shahir said. He urged the government to set aside funds to strengthen the pathway between universities, industry, government and society.

Shahir said Mastic data show that businesses direct the majority of their R&D spending toward experimental development, while universities remain focused on basic and applied research. More co-funded, industry-linked projects can help bridge this gap and accelerate commercialisation, he said.

Shahir, who is also the vice provost of research and knowledge exchange of University of Nottingham Malaysia, said existing tax incentives that encourage company investment in talent development could be expanded to include employer-sponsored postgraduate research. - FMT