Master IT, PM urges Malay youth
PRIORITY: This will enable them to face challenges in globalised world, says Najib
THE true strength of the Malays lies in the education they acquire, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said yesterday.
“Malaysia’s education system has allowed its citizens to progress as access is given to all,” he said when opening the Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung’s (GPMS) 62nd annual general meeting here.
With a foundation laid for access to schools, the country gradually moved on to provide boarding and science schools and eventually setting up more higher learning institutions, he said.
“Education development has always been given priority right from the first prime minister until today,” Najib said, adding all these would allow the Malays to face challenges in the era of globalisation.
For this, Malay youth should master the field of information and technology, particularly data science, he added.
“We have reached the new millennium year, which demands the world change towards the fourth industrial revolution.
“We have to prepare our children to address challenges of the new world so that in this era of globalisation, we are not left out.”
Najib said Malays should also emphasise mastering the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to become professionals who would be much needed in the future.
He stressed GPMS, as a non-governmental organisation, needed to encourage Malay students to contribute to the success of the country’s education field and development.
The organisation should be a key player in mobilising the 2050 National Transformation (TN50), which
is a futuristic policy that would pave the country’s direction for 30 years after 2020.
At the event, Najib announced an allocation of RM1 million for the GPMS Malaysian Students’ Education Fund, to help needy students, especially medical, dentistry and
pharmacy students in Egypt.
He presented the “Tokoh GPMS Terbilang Sepanjang Zaman” award to former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, as well as financial aid from the Malaysian Students’ Education Fund, to 10 Malaysian students in Egypt.