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PM Najib: Four dimensions to achieve holistic human capital development

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has outlined four principles for Malaysia to achieve holistic human capital development to ensure sustainable economic development, Bernama reports.

The principles, revealed at the launch of the Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, (TARC) Pahang Campus in Indera Mahkota, included:

Ensuring more people have a high level of education and skills

PM Najib said ensuring as many people as possible in the country have a high level of education and skills will enable them to meet the needs of the country's employment sector and industries.

Income growth through skills upgrading

The Prime Minister said the government wanted to see "the people's income to continue rising by asking them to enhance their existing skills".

He explained: "If you want to compare the income of a skilled worker with a semi skilled worker, the income of a skilled worker will be higher, similarly the income of a medical specialist is definitely higher than that of a doctor."

ALSO READ: Minister Riot: Malaysia set to hit skilled workforce target by 2020

Equal opportunities to all Malaysians

PM Najib said the government also provided equal opportunities to urban or rural communities, rich or poor, or any ethnic groups to raise their socio-economic status.

"If they have the will to achieve success, we should provide them the opportunity for the only thing that would hold you back is whether you got the ambition or driven to succeed," he said.

Ensure current students are ready to fill future jobs

The Prime Minister said it is necessary to ensure the current generation of students are ready to fill the jobs that don't exist yet - for example, in the robotic technology and nano technology areas.

"60% of future jobs do not exist today. But we must prepare so they [the students] are able to fill the jobs. These drastic changes would take place in the world, including Malaysia.

In line with that, he felt that all institutions of higher learning in the country including research-based universities should ensure they are on the list of the best universities globally.

According to the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University 2018, Malaysia is now home to five of the world’s top 300 universities.

"The ranking of Universiti Malaya (UM) has also improved by 19 steps to 114th and I have given key performance indicators to the Higher Education Ministry and its minister to see that UM is among the top 100 best universities globally next year," he said.

At the same time, PM Najib also reminded all local universities to enhance their status to become international universities, including facilitating the recruitment of foreign students.

Photo / 123RF

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