17/09/2026

THURSDAY | SEPT 17, 2026 3 ‘Nation’s challenge making graduates research-ready’ PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s challenge in meeting its target of having 200 researchers, scientists, engineers and technologists (RSET) for every 10,000 members of the workforce by 2030 would not be due to a shortage of STEM graduates but a failure to convert them into research-active talent, says an academic. University of Nottingham Malaysia Research and Knowledge Exchange Vice Provost of Prof Dr Shahir Liew said Malaysia has produced a sizeable pool of STEM graduates, with more than 326,000 students pursuing STEM fields in public universities since 2023. He said the country, however, needs to distinguish between having STEM-qualified professionals and having personnel actively engaged in research and development (R&D). Shahir said Malaysia’s real constraint is converting graduates and professionals into research-ready RSET talent rather than simply increasing the number of STEM degree holders. He said this requires closer cooperation among the government, industry and academia to create pathways that could turn STEM qualifications into actual R&D capability. He added that one area that needs attention is the relationship between universities and industry, which traditionally focuses on sponsorships, guest lectures and internships. Shahir said these partnerships should instead involve industry in curriculum design and provide students with real-world research problems that could be incorporated into coursework and thesis projects. He said employers could also co-sponsor part-time postgraduate research for their employees, particularly when the research addresses actual business or R&D needs. “This gives professionals a tangible incentive to pursue research qualifications alongside their day jobs while giving employers a direct return in the form of applied research relevant to their own operations.” He pointed to AI-related applied research at the University of Nottingham Malaysia as an example of how closer collaboration could accelerate the transition from academic research to commercial application. Shahir said the university has developed an AI-driven model that learns bio-algae growth patterns from ambient conditions and is now coupled with industrial production to help scale commercial bio-algae-derived food. He said the development of RSET talent would only deliver results if the industry created enough R&D-intensive roles to absorb the talent being developed. “Research must lead to development, commercialisation and impact to create lasting change.” He said with Budget 2027 set to be tabled on Oct 9, the government has an opportunity to fund and formalise pathways that could strengthen Malaysia’s RSET pipeline. – By Kirtinee Ramesh

Umno-PAS electoral pact not likely to include PN: Expert

PETALING growing willingness to work with PAS does not necessarily mean it is ready to join forces with Perikatan Nasional (PN), according to analysts who say that Umno is drawing a clear line between electoral cooperation and surrendering its political identity. Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Datuk Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said PAS is now part of Umno’s strategic calculations but its broader political direction remains firmly centred on Barisan Nasional (BN). “The centre of gravity remains BN and the Blue Malaysia Agenda. “PAS could become a partner in an understanding aimed at avoiding damaging clashes, particularly in Malay-majority seats, but Umno does not appear to be handing over the right to determine its direction to PAS or PN.” He said this was reflected in statements by Kedah delegates during the recent Umno general assembly that they were prepared to negotiate with PAS but not PN, suggesting that Umno sees a difference between dealing directly with PAS and entering a wider coalition structure. Awang Azman said this gives Umno room to cooperate with PAS without having to accept the interests and power structure of the entire PN bloc. He added that such an approach would allow Umno to preserve its autonomy ahead of GE16 while keeping open the possibility of cooperation where it benefits the party electorally. He also said Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s insistence that the “grand collaboration” is not a merger is significant as it allows Umno and PAS to cooperate without either party formally giving up its identity. “I see this as Umno drawing a new boundary. Cooperation, yes but JAYA: Umno’s o ‘Islamic party could become partner in an understanding aimed at avoiding damaging clashes during polls, particularly in Malay-majority seats’ Ű BY HARITH KAMAL

Awang Azman said Ahmad Zahid’s insistence that the “grand collaboration” is not a merger is significant as it allows Umno and PAS to cooperate without either party formally giving up its identity. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

“That is ultimately Umno’s strongest negotiating position – the door to cooperation is open but Umno itself still holds the key to its own house.” International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst and Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute fellow Assoc Prof Dr Syaza Shukri said a potential Umno-PAS alignment could represent a significant change in Malay political competition. She said previous cooperation between Malay-based parties had also shown how quickly political interests could diverge. “We have seen PAS and Bersatu working together before but breaking apart, especially in Perlis.” She said it is still too early to determine whether Umno and PAS could work effectively together, with the next challenge being to expand their cooperation beyond individual states.

surrendering its identity, no.” Awang Azman said the strategy also separates Umno’s relationship with PAS from its past experience with PN and Bersatu, which complicated the party’s position during the Muafakat Nasional period. He added that Umno had little reason to repeat an arrangement in which it found itself caught between competing centres of political loyalty. “Umno wants to be capable of working with others because it is strong, rather than being forced to cooperate because it is weak.” He also said Umno did not have to choose between going it alone and entering a full political alliance, as cooperation could take different forms, including non-aggression pacts, seat coordination, tactical support and even post-election government cooperation.

Boost post-graduate research capabilities, says academic PETALING JAYA: Malaysia should make postgraduate research a more accessible mid-career pathway for engineers, scientists and technologists already in the enrolment remains comparatively low, accounting for around 9% of total higher education enrolment or approximately 114,600 students of which 33.74% were international students. “Malaysia’s postgraduate research pipeline currently depends industry-embedded postgraduate research programmes for working professionals. “Converting experienced engineers, scientists, and technologists already in the could allow a workplace problem to become a thesis question while ensuring that the research has practical value for industry. Shahir said creating the programmes alone would not be enough as working professionals currently have limited incentives to pursue postgraduate research. Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH

and help professionals stand out among peers but few are designed to lead towards a research qualification.” He said a more integrated system would allow professionals to build research capability at their own pace while creating a clearer pathway into research-intensive roles. “Industry involvement will also be crucial, with employers potentially co-sponsoring employees’ part-time postgraduate research tied to real business R&D needs.” Shahir said such a model could benefit both sides by giving professionals a pathway to advance their expertise while allowing companies to obtain research relevant to their operations.

workforce into research-ready talent builds capacity from within, tapping into talents who are already qualified, employed and familiar with local industry needs.” He said the admissions criteria should recognise substantial industry experience as preparation for research, while universities could allow professionals to develop research projects around real problems encountered in their workplaces. He added that such an approach

workforce, said University of Nottingham Malaysia Research and Knowledge Exchange Vice Provost Prof Dr Shahir Liew. He said the approach could help strengthen Malaysia’s pool of researchers, scientists, engineers and technologists without having to rely solely on producing more fresh STEM graduates. Shahir said according to the Higher Education Ministry’s December 2025 data, postgraduate

significantly on imported talent rather than Malaysians moving into research careers at scale.” Shahir said postgraduate study should be viewed not only as a way to gain higher qualifications but also as a pathway for experienced professionals to develop research capabilities and contribute to innovation. He said Malaysia should therefore invest more in flexible, part-time and

“Employer-sponsored research degrees and government-industry co-funding schemes can help reduce financial and professional barriers.” He also proposed linking Malaysia’s lifelong-learning and micro-credential initiatives more directly to postgraduate research. “Most micro-credentials today are designed to build employability