NIBONG TEBAL, June 27 — Malaysia’s biggest challenge in becoming a technology-creating nation is no longer infrastructure, but developing high-quality, future-ready, and sustainable local talent.

Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s (MOSTI) deputy secretary-general (Planning and Science Enculturation) Datuk Ruziah Shafie said that developing a stronger, more resilient, and globally competitive future workforce requires early exposure to science, technology, and innovation (STI), as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), through continuous science culture and outreach programmes.

She said that the National Science Week (MSN) programme is one of MOSTI’s key initiatives to cultivate youth’s interest in these fields while also bridging the gap between classroom learning and the real needs of high-technology industries.

“We are all aware that today’s geopolitical landscape and global supply chain challenges require countries to achieve technology sovereignty. Malaysia can no longer remain merely a consumer of technology; we must rise to become a creator of technology.

“The greatest challenge we face now is ensuring that our local talent possesses the quality, readiness, and capability to adapt to the rapid pace of global change,” she said.

She said this while officiating the launch of the STEM Showcase held in conjunction with the MSN 2026 -Northern Zone at Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (SMJK) Jit Sin II today. The event was also attended by Tech Dome Penang chief executive officer Khoo Boo Wooi.

Ruziah said that when launching the MSN 2026 programme in April, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang set a target of 1.15 million participants nationwide, with the goal of delivering inclusive and impactful exposure to STI and STEM across communities.

She said the selection of Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS) as the venue for the first MSN 2026 - Northern Zone Carnival was highly strategic, given Penang’s position as the country’s high-tech hub, particularly in the semiconductor and advanced packaging industries. The state is further supported by the technology ecosystem at Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kedah, while Perak holds significant potential for the development of the rare earth industry.

Ruziah also said that MOSTI’s STI Foresight 2025-2040: Future of STEM Talent in Malaysia study identified 10 priority areas for the future: artificial intelligence (AI), data technologies, cybersecurity, materials science, advanced manufacturing, energy, environmental sustainability, biomedicine, intelligent systems, and digital transformation.

The study also identified key competencies that should be cultivated among future talent, including adaptability, critical thinking, digital literacy, problem-solving, creativity, communication, teamwork, ethics, and the ability to think with a future-oriented mindset.

In line with these findings, she said MOSTI’s science outreach programmes place strong emphasis on hands-on learning to foster a culture of innovation from primary through secondary school, while also encouraging the application of scientific thinking in everyday life.

Ruziah said that exposure to technologies such as AI is also essential, as the future economy will be driven by individuals who can harness technology to enhance productivity, improve efficiency, and create greater value. This, she said, will help nurture a generation that is technologically literate, creative, ethical, and responsible.

The two-day MSN 2026 - Northern Zone, organised by MOSTI’s Rakan MySains, Tech Dome Penang,  brought together a wide range of exhibitions, workshops, and interactive activities aimed at promoting a stronger culture of STI in line with the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (NSTIP) 2021-2030.

The programme, which concluded today, was expected to attract around 20,000 visitors and also featured a new element - nuclear advocacy - showcasing nuclear technology and its benefits to the public. — Bernama