Higher education curricula must integrate AI to future-proof graduates, says Zambry

The Higher Education Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, has emphasized the necessity of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data literacy into higher education curricula to ensure graduates remain competitive in the future job market. In a recent launch, Zambry highlighted that AI modules should be embedded across all disciplines, including the humanities and social sciences, challenging the previous assumption that AI was only relevant to technical fields.

The Minister also revealed that the strategic plan for graduate employability, set to guide education until 2030, is intended to be adaptable and responsive to market demands, addressing unemployment and underemployment through continuous reviews and upskilling programs. The government's collaboration with other ministries aims to conduct annual industry assessments, taking into account the wide range of roles required, from degree-level engineers to diploma and certificate holders.

Zambry pointed out that the World Economic Forum projects 170 million new jobs by 2030, with 92 million traditional roles expected to be displaced, resulting in a net increase of 78 million jobs, many of which will fall within emerging fields like AI, machine learning, big data, fintech, and renewable energy. He also stressed the importance of upskilling to close the graduate wage gap, noting that while the overall graduate median salary reached RM4,521 in 2024, high-skilled graduates earned significantly more, at RM5,723 per month, compared to RM2,550 for semi-skilled roles and RM1,990 for low-skilled positions.

The Minister urged educators to adopt a forward-thinking approach, embracing disruptive changes to keep pace with industry developments and maintain educational relevance.