Malaysia’s life sciences graduates need more attention

From Saraani Vengadesen

Malaysia talks increasingly about becoming a high-income, knowledge-based economy. We talk about artificial intelligence, digitalisation, advanced manufacturing and jobs of the future.

But there is another group of young Malaysians whose future deserves more attention: our life sciences graduates.

I often hear that Malaysia is lacking life sciences graduates.

As a biotechnology graduate, I find that statement difficult to reconcile with my own experience and with the experiences of many graduates I have encountered.

Malaysia has universities offering biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, food science and other life sciences programmes. Every year, students graduate from these courses hoping to build careers in science.

Yet many soon discover that finding a job directly related to their degree is not straightforward. So, do we really lack life sciences graduates, or do we lack life sciences jobs? There is an important difference.

Malaysia has invested in biotechnology and the bioeconomy for years. We have national policies, research institutions, universities and programmes designed to develop the sector. We continue to encourage young people to pursue science and technology.

But somewhere between graduating from university and entering the workforce, the pathway becomes unclear.

This is not because life sciences are becoming less relevant. Quite the opposite. The world is entering an era where biology is increasingly central to how we address major challenges, from food security and climate change to new medicines, sustainable materials and agricultural innovation.

The question is whether Malaysia is creating enough opportunities for the people trained to work in these fields.

For too many graduates, the options appear to be limited: remain in academia, compete for a small number of research positions, continue studying or take a job outside their field.

We often respond by saying that graduates need to become more “industry-ready.”

But perhaps we should also ask whether the industry is ready to absorb the talent our universities are producing.

A life sciences career should not mean spending an entire career at a laboratory bench or leaving the field altogether.

The modern life sciences sector needs people who understand science and can work across disciplines. There are careers in regulatory affairs, biosafety and biosecurity, science communication, intellectual property, technology transfer, clinical research, agricultural policy, food systems, environmental management, business development and science and technology governance.

These pathways exist, but they are rarely visible to students.

Malaysia also needs to look beyond producing graduates and start thinking about building a life sciences workforce.

We need better data on where life sciences graduates go after university. We need stronger university-industry partnerships, meaningful internships, industry-linked curricula and clearer pathways from research to employment.

Most importantly, we need to create and attract companies and institutions that can provide meaningful careers for this talent.

Research cannot remain trapped in laboratories and universities.

A discovery only creates wider value when it moves through the ecosystem from research to innovation, regulation, investment, commercialisation and ultimately society.

Our life sciences graduates should be part of that entire journey.

Malaysia has invested significantly in building its scientific and biotechnology capabilities. We should not allow the people trained to sustain that ecosystem to become an afterthought.

The future of work is changing rapidly. Our graduates will need interdisciplinary skills, digital literacy and the ability to work across science, technology, policy and society.

But they also need something equally important: an economy that has a place for their expertise.

If we want Malaysia to be a knowledge economy, we cannot only ask our young people to acquire the skills of the future.

We must also build the future in which those skills are needed.

Saarani Vengadesen is CEO and founder of Orbis Policy Consulting.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.