Kota Kinabalu: Higher Education Deputy Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said his Ministry is considering scrapping university courses with low employability rates or those no longer align with industry needs.
Citing research by TalentCorp, he said at least 260 job roles in Malaysia are expected to disappear due to technological advancements.
AdvertisementMustapha said any university course with a graduate employability rate below 30 per cent will be reviewed and possibly restructured to make it more relevant and competitive.
“This is part of our long-term plan to ensure higher education keeps pace with technological change and market demands,” he said during the launch of the ‘Jom Masuk U’ programme at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), here.
Jobs that are at risk of automation include models, secretaries, auditors, cashiers, travel agents, data entry clerks, telemarketers, factory workers, bank tellers, and postal clerks, according to TalentCorp website.
Mustapha also expressed concern over the low interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields, with national participation at just 22percent, and Sabah even lower at 12.6percent.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});He said the trend happened because lack of early exposure and awareness among students and parents.
“Many students choose easier courses over those needed by the industry,” he said, stressed the importance of introducing STEM early to build lasting interest and strengthen the country’s talent in key sectors.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});To tackle these issues, Mustapha said a joint committee has been formed, involving the Higher Education Ministry, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti), and the Education Ministry.
Their goal is to develop strategies to revive STEM education and align academic courses with future job market needs.
Also present at the event was UMS Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor.