I am indeed encouraged to read the positive feedbacks from CPA Suppiah Subramaniam, former Executive Vice President for Group Finance of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), and Zakaria Mohamad Nor, former Senior Manager, LPG Division of ExxonMobil, on my little article titled “Innovation & Entrepreneurship needed in education as much as public-service institution as that of business and economy” published by the newswav.com dated on 20 May 2026. (https://newswav.com/A2605_NbOWOT?s=A.UJOXz8B&language=en) They endorsed that “Innovation and Entrepreneurship are vital in education from passive information accumulation into active problem-solvers, fostering critical thinking in preparing the students to adapt rapidly to changing demands.”
I learned from the report by Bank Negara Malaysia on 15 May 2026, that “The Malaysian economy expanded by 5.4% in the first quarter of 2026 (4Q 2025: 6.2%), driven mainly by domestic demand. Household spending remained supported by positive labor market conditions, with the unemployment rate staying low, alongside targeted policy measures. On the external front, export growth remained strong, driven, mainly by continued expansion in E&E exports. Meanwhile, gross import growth moderated amid slower growth in capital, intermediate & consumer goods imports.” (https://www.bnm.gov.my)
However, the primary economic and business challenges confronting Malaysia cut across several areas: (1) Escalating Operational and Compliance Costs, (2) External Economic Risks and Trade Vulnerabilities, (3) Digitalization and Technical Transitions, and (4) Talent and Capital Bottlenecks. I understand, to counter these headwinds the Malaysian government is utilizing frameworks like Ekonomi MADANI & Malaysia Social Entrepreneurship Blueprint 2030. (www.kuskop.gov.my)
As a management educator, I suggest that the future entrepreneurship education must shift from teaching traditional business plan writing to cultivating adaptive, tech-driven & resilient mindsets. Because students face an economy defined by rapid AI automation, subsidy rationalization & strict regulatory changes like mandatory e-invoicing. As such, education must prepare students to be agile problem-solvers rather than being rigid procedural managers.
Zulkifly Baharom (hajizul50@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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