Highly specialised skills are imperative for frontier research and development, both in the public and industry applications, said Academy of Professors Malaysia president Prof Dr Jamal Othman.
What truly matters in today’s labour market, he said, is not merely having a postgraduate certification, but acquiring the right expertise that drives innovation and competitiveness.
“This is more so in the age of the digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI).
“The bottom line is whether you have the necessary skills, particularly in the private sector.
“It is not about postgraduate certifications per se,” he added.
Across the world, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates are increasingly voicing their frustrations over job prospects, with many turning to support groups on social media platforms to share their struggles.
Real-life accounts of PhD holders who have faced countless rejections from potential employers are aplenty on social media, indicating that even the most prestigious qualifications no longer guarantee smooth entry into the workforce.
The postgraduate job market, he explained, has always been distinct, with many opportunities concentrated in academia and research.
“Traditionally in Malaysia, the bulk of the jobs within research and academics are in the public sector.
“Hence, how fast postgraduates are able to secure employment would depend on the conventional supply-demand factors that prevail,” he said.
When asked whether a master’s or PhD holder enjoys better employability prospects than those with undergraduate degrees or diplomas, he said both qualifications serve distinct job segments.
Undergraduate and postgraduate pathways each have their own demand–supply dynamics, making direct comparisons difficult, he explained.
He said in roles that only require undergraduate qualifications or below, having a postgraduate degree does not necessarily translate into higher pay or advantage, assuming skills and experience are equal.
On whether pursuing postgraduate education is worth the rising cost of living, Prof Jamal said the answer is both personal and situational.
“A smart individual would make an assessment of the long-term net benefits of enrolling in postgraduate study, taking into consideration its associated cost, forgone income in the course of study, and expected incremental income,” he said.
Echoing the need for a more strategic approach, Sunway University School of Education dean Prof Malissa Maria Mahmud said the old model of postgraduate education where a master’s degree was seen as a stepping stone to a PhD or a comfortable promotion is outdated.
“Today’s professionals are using postgraduate education to pivot industries, accelerate leadership roles, and gain cross-border career mobility,” she said, adding that students today are more discerning.
“They want to know if a master’s degree will future-proof their skills, build networks, resilience, and leadership capacity.
“They are looking for programmes that are aligned with the industries of tomorrow, not just the job descriptions of today,” she said.
Monash University Malaysia vice president (Education) Prof Stephen Boyle said academic degrees, such as a PhD, entail rigorous study and advanced research, which enhance one’s capacity for evidence-based decision-making.
“These skills are crucial for any leader attempting to lead in an increasingly data-rich and fast-paced world,” he added.
On July 24, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz shared on his official Facebook account that he had enrolled as a part-time PhD student at Monash Business School.
Expressing hope that his new academic journey would proceed smoothly, the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister described the pursuit of knowledge as an endless quest.
The minister’s decision, said Prof Boyle, sends an important message about the enduring value of advanced study.
“The real returns of postgraduate education extend far beyond salary considerations.
“The power and fulfilment stemming from making significant investments in research and social change are immense and profound.
“The return on a master’s or PhD is, therefore, most aptly defined by the ideas you create and put to work, the lives you enhance, and the world you reshape,” he said. — BY JAAYNE JEEVITA
