The Malaysian Department of Education has announced the removal of 38 education programs, which, according to experts, are no longer relevant to the current job market.
According to publications, the majority of subjects that will no longer be available to students are in the scientific field. The engineering and mathematics side of scientific programs was one of the most affected by the cuts. Subjects like product engineering, or telecommunications engineering were deemed undesirable. The 38 higher education courses were part of the higher education programs in 19 different universities across the country.
In a statement following the decision, Datuk Siti Hamisah Tapsir, Director-General of the Department of Education, said that the government should ensure that all courses offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels in public universities are relevant to the developing labor market.
The Director-General also added that the modern-day job market is evolving very quickly and universities should follow such evolutions. According to her, the decision to sack these subjects was based on analytical data gathered over time, and after consultation with representatives of big job providers in the country.
Education programs in technology
According to the Department of Education, Malaysia needs to focus on promoting higher education programs in technology, as the country wants to become the face of the fourth industrial revolution.
Technology is becoming a huge part of the global economy, and it is no surprise that the Department of Education is looking to boost higher education programs in this area.
Financial technology, or Fintech, is also becoming increasingly demanded, with more universities offering scholarships and dedicated courses aimed at specific professional qualifications related to Fintech.
Malaysia is aiming towards recognizing this growing trend. The goal of the Department of Education is not to simply reduce the number of courses taught at universities, but to replace outdated and irrelevant ones, with programs, which will boost the success of graduates once they enter the job market.
