Deputy Minister of Higher Education Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said his ministry is considering cancelling university courses with low employability rates or which are no longer in line with industry needs. He said, citing research by TalentCorp, that a total of 260 job roles in Malaysia are expected to disappear due to technological advancements. Mustapha said any university courses with a graduate employability rate below 30 percent would be reviewed and possibly restructured to make them more relevant and competitive. "This is part of our long-term plan to ensure higher education is in line with changing technology and market demands," he said during the launch of the 'Jom Masuk U' programme at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), here, Saturday. Jobs at risk of automation include models, secretaries, auditors, cashiers, travel agents, data entry clerks, telemarketers, factory workers, bank tellers and postal clerks, according to the TalentCorp website. Mustapha also expressed concern over the low interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields, with the country's participation at only 22%, and Sabah's lower at 12.6%. He said the trend occurred due to a lack of early exposure and awareness among students and parents. "Many students choose courses that are easier than what the industry requires," he said, emphasizing the importance of introducing Stem early to build lasting interest and strengthen the country's talent in key sectors. To address this issue, Mustapha said a joint committee has been formed, involving the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti), and the Ministry of Education. Their goal is to develop a strategy to revitalize Stem education and align academic courses with the needs of the future job market.
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Date of Input: 27/08/2025 | Updated: 18/11/2025 | aidawati