ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) must be understood not just from an industrial perspective but also from an educational standpoint, says Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir (pic).
The Higher Education Minister said his ministry encourages universities to establish their own AI-focused disciplines.
“At the same time, we also adopt an approach called the ‘nexus’ or university consortium within universities, with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia as the lead institution,” he said, adding that other universities are welcome to participate and contribute.
Zambry said a collective effort by experts is crucial to establish a unified foundation for AI development, allowing others to identify the specific AI-related fields they wish to develop.
“We don’t want everyone to create their own AI initiatives, just putting an AI label on them without understanding the actual content or the real needs.
“That’s why we leverage collective expertise, bringing experts together to discuss and determine what each university wants to do and how they can benefit from this collective effort,” he told reporters after the Putrajaya Festival of Ideas (PFOI) appreciation ceremony and presentation of the ministry’s 2024 achievement report on Dec 16.
On another matter, Zambry said local experts have been brought together in a special committee to draft the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint (MHEB) 2026-2035.
He said the ministry had suggested against using the services of foreign consultants to craft the MHEB, as it should be developed by local experts who are “just as great as experts abroad”.
The plan, he said, is tailored to current needs and involves collaboration with various stakeholders.
“This represents a major shift in our higher education system because we understand our country’s needs better,” he said, adding that his ministry started work on drafting the new MHEB last July, with the existing blueprint expiring by the end of this year.
According to Zambry, the plan being drafted is the ministry’s most significant agenda, as it involves the future policy of the nation’s higher education.
“This matter (MHEB) is being detailed by a committee involving various parties and is designed based on our expertise,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zambry highlighted that the Higher Education Ministry had successfully achieved its five key focuses for 2024, through the presentation of the ministry’s achievement report.
These included developing the nation’s top talent, strengthening the research and innovation ecosystem, enhancing knowledge-sharing and transfer programmes, internationalising higher education, and bolstering the supporting ecosystem.
He also outlined 24 major achievements and initiatives aligned with these focuses.
Among the notable efforts included the PFOI, aimed at popularising ideas and higher education on a broad scale while positioning Malaysia as a hub for intellectual discourse and innovation at both regional and global levels.
“The ministry is always making continuous improvements and (engaging in) self-criticism by looking at various aspects that need improvement,” he said.
