KUALA LUMPUR: Almost 400,000 researchers are needed over the next five years to hone the nation’s innovative edge, says Chang Lih Kang.
The Science, Technology and Innovation Minister said the National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation targets 200 researchers per 10,000 workforce by 2030.
“This translates to a projection of 392,037 researchers nationwide,” he said in a written reply on Tuesday (Oct 7) in response to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (Perikatan Nasional‑Kemaman) in the Dewan Rakyat.
Chang said the calculation that Malaysia needs 3,000 researchers per one million people is erroneous as the key indicator is based on the workforce, not the total population.
According to the National Research and Development Survey 2023, the ratio of researchers rose to 55 per 10,000 people in the workforce in 2022.
This was up from 33 per 10,000 in 2020.
“This increase shows the effectiveness of efforts to strengthen the research ecosystem and develop local talent,” the ministry said.
Chang said having adequate researchers supports high tech industry development and enhances global competitiveness.
He said it will also reduce reliance on foreign technologies by driving local innovation.
