JOHOR BAHRU, July 3 — The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) will place talent development at the forefront of its agenda as Malaysia prepares to host the 23rd Asean Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-23) next year.

Its minister, Datuk Chang Lih Kang, said talent development remains a key priority as it is critical to supporting the country’s efforts to attract more high-tech investments.

“Besides talent development, our focus areas include energy transition, artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation, advanced materials, nanotechnology, including hydrogen, and biotechnology,” he said.

He told reporters this after the Mosti TechTalks Series 2/2026 programme, titled AI and the Future of Engineering Careers, at the Tun Dr Ismail Library, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Johor Branch, Pasir Gudang Campus, here last night.

Malaysia is scheduled to host AMMSTI-23 in June 2027, following the decision made at the 22nd Asean Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-22) in Vientiane, Laos, on June 26.

In another development, Chang said Mosti remains committed to supporting other ministries in strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes to better meet current industry demands, although TVET does not fall under the ministry’s direct jurisdiction.

He said TVET curricula should be enhanced with emerging technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence and coding, rather than focusing solely on conventional technical skills.

According to him, the initiative involves collaboration with 12 ministries involved in TVET implementation, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, and the Ministry of Human Resources.

On the Mosti TechTalks initiative, Chang said the programme, which is held regularly at university campuses, serves as a platform to engage young people and expose them to the latest developments in Malaysia’s science, technology and innovation (STI) ecosystem.

He said such engagements are important to ensure university students understand the direction of the country’s STI agenda and are better prepared to meet the demands of the future workforce. — Bernama