[COLUMNIST] Reviving our hope in Malaysia’s talent development

The recent World Bank report “Bending Bamboo Shoots: Strengthening Foundational Skills” casts a spotlight on calling for immediate and strategic action to revitalise Malaysia’s potential and secure its future.

Malaysia’s education system has faced significant hurdles in recent years that hamper talent development leading to further brain drain and putting the nation’s economic vitality at risk.

The country is struggling - we need to act now to improve the education system by addressing the root cause of the problem through targeted and sustainable solutions.

It is imperative that we adopt a comprehensive approach that extends beyond the traditional academic curriculum when overcoming the challenges faced by our education system.

Education must be all-encompassing, integrating emotional intelligence and life skills to prepare students for the complexities of the new age. This holistic model was evident during my official visit to Helsinki and Tokyo, where I witnessed their societies that had interwoven the culture of education into the very fabric of everyday life.

Education is a ‘shared responsibility’ between the home and school - it transcends the confines of the classroom. It is a cultural matter rather than being treated as mere educational issue per say as it creates an environment where learning is multifaceted and continuous.

Malaysia should adopt these values to cultivate a robust educational ecosystem that not only nurture cognitive aptitude but also the emotional intelligence of its children and youths.

The current take-up rate for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Malaysia stands at a modest 25 per cent, with the majority of students opting for university education.

There should be a shift in paradigm and the education system must not present TVET as an alternative, instead, as a strategic choice for early entry into the workforce.

We can make it an attractive option by highlighting the speed at which TVET graduates can join the job market, start to earn an income and begin building wealth at an early stage in life. We can make it happen.

As Malaysia embarks on a more sustainable developmental path, it is essential that TVET programs are designed to prepare students to become industry experts in sustainable practices. This will not only increase the current take-up rate but also support the sustainable growth of the nation’s industries.

To realise this vision, active collaboration through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) is crucial. Involving Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) and industries as talent development is a step towards serious commitment.

TVET institutions must leverage their ability to offer fast-track, short-term and micro-credential courses that align with industry needs. Such courses should be designed to minimise the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that graduates are not only job-ready but also equipped to excel in their respective fields.

By fostering these partnerships and enhancing the appeal of TVET, Malaysia can build a robust workforce poised to meet the challenges of a dynamic global economy.

Empowering teachers and educators are also key in revitalising the education system. Digitalisation and AI can play a transformative role. Teachers should be empowered to integrate digitalisation and AI to create a more immersive and experiential learning environment to enhance educational outcomes. Both teachers and educators should be more open-minded to collaborate with mentors and industry experts to incorporate both formal and informal student learning.

There is a blurring of boundary between traditional and informal education as students are able to learn through application, solving real world problem, resulting in higher learning outcomes.

I think the Malaysian government could do more in the brain gain effort. There should be a serious and concerted effort towards developing and implementing policies in attracting Malaysia talents and experts in the country’s economy.

In the past 10 years, some 6,500 returnees under the Malaysian Returning Expert Program under Talent Corp came back to this country. However, there has not been a significant increase in the number of returning experts during recent years and I feel the government has not achieved its returns of investment (ROI).

The government’s current efforts to entice Malaysians abroad to return home, lack conviction. Drawing from my experience with the REP, I advocate for a more vigorous policy. Malaysia's budget for research and development is low, at just RM510 million, a mere 0.13 per cent out of the total annual budget. This must be increased in order to bolster entrepreneurship and innovation, attracting and nurturing the talent necessary for our nation’s progress.

The time for half-measures is over.

We must act decisively to overhaul our education system, from foundational learning to advanced skills development.

By so doing, we can reverse the brain drain and reignite the hope in Malaysian talent, ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for all.

Yes, the road will be long and challenging, but let’s get the fundamental right from the start.

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** Jaziri Alkaf A. Suffian is former Malaysian Senator and Perikatan Nasional Sarawak chairman.

** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.