Malay youths should master Data Science - Najib

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said they should also master in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to become professionals, like scientists, which would be much needed in future.

"We have reached the new millennium year which demands the world to change towards the fourth industrial revolution. We have to prepare our children on how to address challenges of the new world so that in this era of globalisation, we are not left out," he added.

He said this when opening the 62nd Federation of Peninsula Malay Students (GPMS) annual general meeting at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) here today.

Najib, who is GPMS patron, cited his visit to China recently which witnessed the use of the economic digital system known as '310' to apply for bank loans.

"The digital economic system (310) refers to application being processed through computers based on big data. In three minutes the loan is approved, deposited into our account in one minute and the zero (0) means no interface with human beings," he added.

Najib said GPMS was a non-governmental organisation that was relevant to boost the spirit of Malay students to contribute to the success of the country's education field and development.

As such, he wanted GPMS to be the key player in mobilising the National Transformation (TN50), which is a futuristic policy that would pave the country's direction for 30 years after 2020.

At the event, the prime minister also announced an allocation of RM1 million for GPMS Malaysian Students' Education Fund, particularly to help needy students, especially medical, dentistry and pharmacy students in Egypt with arrears in study fees.

Najib also presented the "Tokoh GPMS Terbilang Sepanjang Zaman" award to former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.