Give incentives to get more grads into research, govt told

The 2027 federal budget should prioritize accessible education, talent development, and transforming research into practical applications, according to Shahir Liew, the chairman of the Asian Institute for Policy and Engagement. Liew emphasized that financial constraints should not prevent underserved or lower-income students from accessing education.

The government should also create opportunities for graduates to engage in research-focused roles and establish postgraduate pathways to achieve its goal of 200 researchers, scientists, engineers, and technologists per 10,000 workforce members. Drawing from data from the higher education ministry, Liew noted that postgraduate enrollment was approximately 114,600 students, accounting for roughly 9% of higher-education enrollment as of December 2025.

Liew suggested that industries possess a substantial pool of experienced professionals who could contribute to research and innovation. He proposed flexible, part-time, and industry-integrated postgraduate research programs to facilitate the conversion of existing expertise into research and innovation capabilities. Liew urged the government to allocate funds to enhance the connection between universities, industry, government, and society.

He highlighted that businesses primarily invest in experimental development during R&D, while universities concentrate on basic and applied research. By co-funding industry-linked projects, Malaysia could bridge this gap and expedite commercialization. Liew, who serves as the vice provost of research and knowledge exchange at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, also recommended expanding existing tax incentives that promote company investment in talent development to encompass employer-sponsored postgraduate research.