KUALA LUMPUR: The country is facing a shortage of talents versed in Information and Communications technology industries, Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said.
He said a healthy pool of human capital in all industries is needed to ensure the country develops holistically.
“There are many job opportunities in every sector but if everyone wanted to be a doctor then we would have a shortage of skilled workers in other areas.”
“It is important for students to be realistic and aim for a career path which is suited to their capabilities,” he said at a press conference after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC) and IBM (International Business Machines) Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
The MOU is for IBM to set up a centre of excellence (COE) at the college’s main campus here, aimed at enhancing the information technology (IT) curriculum at TARC to graduates and postgraduates.
Under the collaboration, TARC will provide teaching facilities while IBM will lend their leading software, courseware, training and testing tools for varsities, and the participants will be given a professional IBM certification.
TARC principal Dr Tan Chik Heok said the academia-industry collaboration was in sync with the college’s strategy to innovate and be responsive to market needs.
“Our collaboration with IBM will enable TARC to produce quality ICT graduates, who will contribute to the nation’s development in this sector,” he said.
He said there had been a significant dip in students enrolling into ICT courses over the past several years.
IBM Malaysia managing director Ramanathan Sathiamutty said the collaboration was an example of the company’s ongoing effort to bring innovation and progress to the nation.
“The country’s shortage of ICT talents becomes apparent when IBM struggles at times to recruit new staff.”
“ICT is an important sector as most businesses nowadays use technologies which require ICT experts to manage and service,” he added.
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