Pure science graduates are a frustrated lot as they can’t get jobs or research opportunities, so the government should first make available sufficient jobs or career opportunities before promoting STEM.
STEM, short for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, is an initiative of the government to inculcate interest and increase the number of students studying science and technology related subjects. In fact, the government has been encouraging the study of science since the 1970s.
Having completed both my undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Physics and Applied Mathematics from Imperial College London, I came back to Malaysia to serve the nation and the government. Seeing an advertisement calling out specifically to all physics graduates to apply to a governmental research agency under the ministry of science, technology and innovation, I sent in my application.
As a matter of fact, in a recent report titled ‘The School to Work Transition of Young Malaysians’ by Khazanah Research Institute, they found that only 17% of those with science, mathematics and computing degrees are in jobs that are related to their education. This is a very low number and clearly highlights the mismatch between graduates’ qualifications and skills, and their jobs.
While the government continues trying to push forward its STEM agenda, does it actually know the number of Malaysians with science degrees who are seeking employment in the country? Is it making any effort to provide suitable employment for them? Is there any effort by the government to “scout” for them? What is TalentCORP, the supposed prime talent scouter of the nation, doing about it?
If the government is indeed interested in the development of science and technology it should start by taking in science graduates to help in all ministries to develop technologies and policies to help promote sciences in all fields of daily life. As it is the government’s desire to promote STEM, it should not leave it to the private sector to carry the baby. Do not use STEM for political mileage and give the wrong message to budding Malaysian scientists. Do not put their knowledge to waste.
It is the government which should be on the lookout for those who are talented, qualified and those who actually have the potential to make a change. If the government does not make an effort to get the best individuals to serve the nation, then we are going to end up remaining an inefficient and underdeveloped government.
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