Malaysia must integrate AI and technology in higher education to build human and intellectual capital for global challenges, says Zambry.
IPOH: Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies in higher education is vital for Malaysia to build the human and intellectual capital needed to navigate current global uncertainties, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said.
He said the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has developed a 10-year blueprint for 2026-2035 to ensure balanced progress in technological advancement, human capital development and moral values.
As disciplines such as AI, quantum computing and planetary health continue to evolve, he said higher education institutions must ensure ethics and moral values are seamlessly infused into the academic curriculum.
“We hope to nurture a new generation that is equipped to face future challenges, particularly those arising from AI and its algorithms. We must strike the right balance by ensuring moral and ethical values are integrated into the education system,” he said.
Zambry was speaking as a panellist during the session ‘Education Matters: Social Empowerment’ at the 8th World Conference on Islamic Thought and Civilisation (WCIT), themed ‘Everyone Matters: Pride and Unity in Islam’, here today.
Zambry further explained that education can no longer remain rigid, emphasising the need to shift from traditional Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to STEAM by incorporating arts and liberal studies to develop both technical expertise and personal character.
“STEM has evolved into STEAM with the addition of ‘A’ for arts or liberal studies. Students must also be exposed to the humanities and liberal studies.
“At Universiti Teknologi Petronas, for example, integrated engineering programmes require students to take courses beyond engineering to help shape their personality and character. Ultimately, education is about cultivating critical thinking,” he said.
Zambry said the ministry’s 10-year blueprint places humanity at its core, aiming to nurture not only critical thinking minds but also strong character, integrity and conscience.
“AI can give you everything: precise answers and rapid solutions, but it cannot shape the character a person needs to develop.
“This is where the comprehensive education, the way you look at education, is very important,” he said.
