The remaining 230,137 students, or 41.4%, enrolled in non-STEM fields, based on data from the MyMOHES system.
PETALING JAYA: More than half of students admitted into diploma and bachelor’s degree programmes at public higher education institutions since 2023 have enrolled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli said 326,419 students, or 58.6% of the 556,556 students admitted to public higher education institutions between 2023 and March this year, pursued STEM-related programmes.
He said the remaining 230,137 students, or 41.4%, enrolled in non-STEM fields, based on data from the MyMOHES system.
Adam said the continued emphasis on STEM education was essential to meet growing demand for skilled workers in emerging high-technology industries.
“The figures show that our public universities continue to place a strong emphasis on developing talent in STEM fields.
“This is in line with the country’s needs and future industry demand, particularly in high-technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, automation, digitalisation and green technology,” he said.
He was responding to Datuk Wira Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (PN–Kubang Pasu), who asked about student enrolment in STEM and non-STEM programmes, as well as Malaysia’s workforce requirements in high-technology sectors.
Adam said Malaysia would require approximately 341,200 researchers, scientists, engineers and technologists (RSET) by 2030 to support the expansion of high-technology industries.
He said the projection was based on the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2021–2030, which targets a ratio of 200 RSET professionals for every 10,000 workers.
The target also takes into account Malaysia’s projected workforce of around 17.06 million people by 2030.
Adam said the government’s strategy focuses on strengthening the overall RSET ecosystem rather than targeting a specific number of engineers in individual disciplines.
