MALAYSIA must not be complacent despite high enrolment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek yesterday.

“Nine of the top 10 emerging job roles projected globally… are in STEM fields. Currently, 43.5 per cent of university students are enrolled in STEM disciplines, one of the highest rates in the Asia-Pacific region. However, we cannot afford complacency,” she said at the 9th Malaysian Education and Learning Summit.

Her speech, titled “Building Malaysia’s Future Through Education, Talent and Innovation”, was read by the ministry’s Curriculum Development Division senior deputy director (science and technology policy cluster) Sarina Salim.

Fadhlina added that the semiconductor and electrical and electronics sector was expected to see strong demand for engineers,

“Our semiconductor and electrical and electronics industries are projected to require an additional 60,000 engineers to sustain their growth.

“With our current engineer-to-population ratio at 1:170, compared with 1:100 in developed peers like Germany, closing this gap is no longer optional, it is an economic imperative.”

She said the government had allocated RM84.6 million for Digital First initiatives, while RM75 million had been set aside to boost the Malaysian Research and Education Network in public universities, polytechnics and community colleges.

Despite the previous National Education Blueprint 2013-2025 achieving near-universal gross enrolment rates, Malaysia must be prepared for artificial intelligence (AI) and the digital economy, Fadhlina added.

Multimedia University and MAHSA University Chancellor Tun Zaki Azmi said AI education must start with the basics, building strong foundations before progressing further.

He said students must be taught to think critically and challenge ideas, while teachers must be equipped to teach beyond the syllabus.

“The more you are challenged, the more you are forced to think, and ideas will come out,” he said.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/04/1419519/stem-push-must-continue-says-fadhlina