Mustapha: Promoting Close Cooperation between Universities and Industry to Move Towards a Resilient and Competitive National Future

(Miri, 23rd) The Deputy Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Mustapha, called for collaboration between domestic higher education institutions and the industry to create an adaptive, resilient, and globally competitive talent system to face ever-changing global challenges.

 

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the "2025 Borneo Zone University and Industry Dialogue and Career Fair" this afternoon, he stated that the Ministry of Education has formulated the "2025-2035 Higher Education Development Plan" as a blueprint to guide the future development of national higher education. Events like this dialogue and career fair serve as important platforms to encourage stakeholders to actively participate in educational policy formulation and reform.

 

“We are at a critical moment of reshaping the relationship between education and industry. The role of universities is no longer just to cultivate graduates but to shape future talents ready to face the complex realities of the workplace.”

 

He pointed out that there is still a significant gap between the current higher education system and the industry, including graduates lacking practical skills and professional competence, curriculum content not keeping up with industrial changes, research not being translated into market innovations, and the industry's low level of involvement in the higher education ecosystem.

 

Therefore, Deputy Minister Mustapha emphasized the need to establish a long-term, structural, and effective cooperation mechanism, rather than just engaging in "seasonal activities." He also outlined the Ministry's current three main focuses: enhancing graduates' employability, promoting research and innovation driven by industry needs, and nurturing high-value future talents.

 

He urged universities to open more space for industry participation in curriculum design, especially in future critical areas like artificial intelligence, sustainable energy, blockchain, automation, and smart technology. Enhancing internship training quality, inviting industry leaders as honorary professors and mentors, and encouraging lecturers to participate in industry projects are also indispensable measures.

 

Meanwhile, he also encouraged the industry to actively become strategic partners of universities not only as talent users but also as talent cultivators.

 

“We hope to see companies getting involved from the first day of class, rather than waiting until graduation ceremonies to select talent.”

 

He specifically commended the outstanding performance of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) in promoting university-industry cooperation and thanked Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus (UPM Bintulu), and Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak Campus (UiTM Sarawak) for their collective efforts.

 

He also highly praised the career fair held at the Miri Star City Shopping Mall, considering it an important platform for promoting employment opportunities in the local community and university-industry links.

 

“Sarawak has unique advantages in natural resources, oil and gas industry, digital technology, creative, and tourism industries. I believe the higher education institutions in Sarawak have the potential to be exemplary models of symbiotic cooperation between universities and industries.”

 

He emphasized that the Ministry of Education will continue to act as a “facilitator,” providing incentives, frameworks, and platforms to encourage universities and industries to jointly plan and implement talent development and innovation research agendas.

 

“If we sincerely want to change the face of Malaysian higher education, cooperation, continuous interaction, and collective action are the only right paths.”