So I'm back in Malaysia. It's about time for a "complaint post".
I've noticed how short-sighted the country and the corporations in the country can be. If it's not short-sightedness, then it's the inability to live up to their words.
I won't use TPM as an example, I can go for eons.
I've recently had the chance to read a speech given by Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in the Launch of the GLC Transformation Programme on 29th July 2005 at KLCC. Let me quote certain parts of the speech which I think wraps up the situation in Malaysia or is really how we can tackle the many ails of the country...
"... Being a small market, we have quite modest resources. We have done well to transform a country that seemed destined to be a failed state when it gained independence, into a thriving, modern economy, currently at the forefront of a developing world."
While it is true that we have gone a long way from our humble beginnings, we have been stuck at the "forefront of a developing world" for quite some time now. As a matter of fact, the world is advancing at a faster pace than we are advancing. In short, we're not keeping up with the pace at which the world is growing.
Anyways, I'm not an economist or an analyst, so I'd better deal with issues that I have experience with. Later in the speech he mentioned that,
"Realising Vision 2020 will require us to push ourselves in ways we never imagined. We will need to dig deep into our reserves. We will need strength of the mind, body and spirit. We will need wisom, courage and tenacity ... That is why I have always discussed human capital development, because people are the basic building blocks of what we do."
Even in the article dated June 15th, 2007, he emphasized on the need to build up our human capital and for our students to be Nobel lauretes, among other things. Anyone reading this would expect the government to push for better education for the students and doing their best to advocate technological inflow from developed countries.
Unfortunately, that is not the case and I speak from experience. I'm one among many students who are studying in US through a governmental funded privatised institution. It's a GLI and we would expect the government to support its own programs. However that was not the case as the students who are under the program had to go through hell just to try to obtain loans, most which are turned down. JPA will not fund the students under the program.
Holding on to trust, some students who are already in US face financial problems and are struggling just to pay off their lodging and tuition fees. This has a negative impact on their studies. Seeing such an issue, our student body had tried to push for aid for these students.
We are still waiting for a reply, but it is safe to say that that institution that we took the program under still give empty promises. We will not sit back and watch them screw with our future.
My two cents.
Oh, I'm talking about Biotech btw. Our government spend so much money in building the latest infrastructure, etc. but they failed to channel some of those money to develop the minds of the future. Without anyone to work these facilities to their fullest, it would be quite pointless to build them.
To promote technological input into Malaysia from foreign countries, the government needs to take a more proactive stance in sending students overseas. The government should make financial aid more available to students as studying abroad is not an easy burden for any family to bear. Taking a couple of percent off and funding it to developing the bright young minds of the future would be important to build a strong human capital. This would attract investor and prepare Malaysia for developing its own novel technologies and ideas.
Another thing to note is the sad state of biotechnology back home. I've decided to go home during summer and during my 3 month period here obtain an internship placement with any companies in Malaysia.
It is sad.
- There is no stipend provided. A 5 year old can tell you that incentives push people forward to work better. But no, apparently not in Malaysia. In US, the average company pays ~3000USD stipend for 8 to 10 weeks of internship placement.
The government could help by making money spent on internship tax deductible. This would give the Malaysian Biotechnology Economy a huge upward push. Not only will it train Malaysian undergraduates in a real working environment, it would promote a positive exchange of ideas between universities and the private sector, creating a bridge between the "service" arm and "economic" arm.
- Malaysian mentality of treating the students as parasites. Most Malaysian companies have the idea that students depend on them for practical training and that they should have no leverage.
Well, the idea of students depending on them is correct, but to treat students as if they are useless and not giving them the right to voice out and negotiate a plan that suits them is just plain wrong.
Not only that, these interns are usually required to abide to every single company rule and yet get no benefits usually provided by the company.
Both points highlighted above gives the next generation of graduates a very bad impression of the industry in Malaysia. Other countries are willing to hire them, willing to fund their studies, and offer seemingly better prospects than "being stuck in" Malaysia.
How then does Malaysia intend to stop the "brain drain"?
I am happy that our government has the ideals. But it may have to redefine its means of achieving those ideals, and I believe what the PM said about retaining a strong human capital is true. Take the initiative to promote international exchange of information. We have much to gain and little to lose.
