Latest news with #MEF
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Master's degree does not guarantee higher pay, says SME group
A mismatch in the labour market has forced many master's degree holders to accept jobs that require lower qualifications and, along with it, lower salaries. (Freepik pic) PETALING JAYA : The perception that master's degree holders are earning less than expected given their qualifications only holds true in certain cases, says SME Association Malaysia president Chin Chee Seong. He said the problem stems from a mismatch in the labour market in Malaysia. 'There are limited roles that specifically require postgraduate qualifications, forcing many to accept lower-paying jobs typically held by degree holders,' he told FMT. Sharing his view is Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) president Syed Hussain Syed Husman, who pointed out that the relevance of some postgraduate qualifications is limited. Chin Chee Seong. Chin said the Malaysian job market has yet to reach a stage where there is a need for more of those with a master's degree. 'Employers are not averse to paying higher salaries. The question is whether or not it is necessary or justified,' he pointed out. Chin said the association has been urging the government to invest in tech-based industries and to push more small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt advanced technology. He said that when industries embrace digitalisation, the need for specific technical skills that come only with postgraduate qualifications rises, making employers more willing to offer higher salaries. He noted that SMEs in some sectors, such as IT services, already offer 'relatively high' starting pay, with fresh graduates earning RM4,000 to RM4,500, depending on the role. Those with a master's degree in fields like computer science are more likely to earn higher wages, Chin said. However, postgraduates in areas like human resources or administration may not see the same returns, as these roles only require degree holders. A recent report by Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) Research Institute said master's degree holders have seen a 10% decline in real wages in the decade leading up to 2022, compared with just a 4% drop in the previous corresponding decade. In contrast, degree holders saw a slight improvement in wage growth over the same period. Syed Hussain Syed Husman. Syed Hussein said factors such as underemployment and an oversupply of graduates have also contributed to wage stagnation. 'Without a corresponding increase in productivity and business performance, employers are unlikely to raise wages simply because an employee holds a higher academic qualification,' he told FMT. Syed Hussain said postgraduate degrees still offer value in specialised fields such as data science and engineering, but unless qualifications align with evolving industry needs, wage challenges for master's graduates will persist. He called for closer collaboration between academia and industry to ensure postgraduate programmes are aligned with market needs. The rate of skills-related underemployment stood at 37% in the second quarter of 2024, deputy economy minister Hanifah Hajar Taib said last year. He added that youth unemployment also stood at 10.6% for the fourth consecutive month in February, involving 306,600 people, which some attributed to a skills mismatch.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
MEF: Education-industry mismatch leaves graduates ill-prepared for modern workplace
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's education system is churning out graduates who are ill-prepared for the demands of the modern workplace, the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has warned. Its president, Datuk Syed Hussain Syed Husman, said many graduates emerged with academic credentials that do not sufficiently prepare them for the practical demands of today's job market. "MEF has expressed concern over the persistent issue of job mismatch in the labour market. The current education system produces graduates who are not aligned with industry requirements. "Many of them have academic backgrounds that are too theoretical and do not match the skills needed by employers, particularly in fast-evolving sectors such as technology, green energy and advanced manufacturing," he told the "New Straits Times". He said the system was not aligned with industry demands, leading to many young Malaysians entering the workforce without the capabilities needed to thrive. According to the recently released Gaji Cukup Makan economic report, 70 per cent of graduates are employed in semi- and low-skilled jobs, while only 30 per cent secure high-skilled roles. Syed Hussain said the country continued to produce an oversupply of graduates in fields, such as business studies and social sciences, while there was a persistent shortage in critical areas like engineering, data science, skilled trades and technical or vocational disciplines. "Underemployment — where graduates work in roles below their qualifications — reflects inefficiencies in the labour market. It also devalues higher education and contributes to low wage growth and job dissatisfaction," he said. To address this, MEF is urging institutions of higher learning to align academic programmes with real-world workplace skills, particularly in areas such as digital literacy, communication and problem-solving. He called for stronger partnerships between industry and academia to ensure courses better reflect current market demands. "We have long advocated for enhancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). "It should be seen as a first-choice pathway, rather than a last resort. "Employers should also be incentivised to offer TVET-related internships and apprenticeships to connect training with employment directly," he said. Syed Hussain said MEF proposed expanding public-private training schemes, including micro-credentials and short-term certification programmes, to help unemployed or underemployed graduates upskill themselves and transition into high-demand roles. On the role of employers, Syed Hussain said the private sector must take proactive steps to bridge the skills gap and absorb more graduates into high-skilled roles. This includes offering structured on-the-job training and mentorship programmes and collaborating with government bodies, such as the Human Resource Development Corp, to design targeted upskilling initiatives. "Employers should co-develop curricula with universities and polytechnics, as well as offer meaningful internships and adopt skills-based recruitment practices that focus on competencies rather than just academic qualifications," he said. He added that MEF supported the use of artificial intelligence-powered job-matching platforms that align graduates' skills with high-skilled roles and provide clear career pathways within companies to help young employees understand their prospects for growth. Syed Hussain called on the government to expand incentives for companies that hire graduates in fields aligned with their training. "Financial incentives, such as tax breaks, subsidies and grants, will encourage businesses to hire graduates in their specialised fields. "This will reduce graduate underemployment while boosting innovation and national competitiveness," he said. He added that such measures would improve job satisfaction, wage growth and career development for youth, helping to build a stronger and more resilient workforce.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
MCB Camp Lejeune dedicates simulation center to Col. Nick Davis
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (WNCT) — Camp Lejeune had a dedication ceremony for Col. Nick Davis Battle Simulation Center, the first of its kind in the Marine Corps. The building lets Marines train for real-life scenarios virtually. Cpt. Nicholas Royer, II MEF Modeling Simulation Officer, said they've been doing trainings like this for a while, but this is the first building specifically for simulations. 'When the time comes, when we are actually counting down the bullets we have available for training, we're not wasting them,' Cpt. Royer said. 'Every single one is going to count because they've had the ability to run this five, 10, 100 times in an environment where there is no cost and the stakes don't matter.' It's dedicated to Col. Nick Davis who served for more than 30 years. Commanding General Lt. Gen. Calvert L. Worth Jr. said Davis dedicated his time to training Marines. 'Nick was just a good human. He was a man of God and he was fully dedicated to his family and to his country,' Lt. Gen. Worth said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
BTH Podcast: Raising retirement age and PKR congress [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: This week on Beyond the Headlines, we take a closer look at two issues that are quietly, and not so quietly, shaping national conversations. First, we tackle a question raised by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said — Should Malaysians retire later? With an ageing population and growing concerns over retirement savings, Azalina suggested that extending the retirement age to 65 could retain valuable talent in the workforce. But is that a practical solution or merely a band-aid over deeper structural problems like stagnant wages, youth unemployment, and inadequate pension schemes? Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) advisor Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan joined us on set. The episode also focused on a different kind of transition, this time within one of Malaysia's most pivotal political parties — PKR. As its 2024/2025 National Congress unfolds in Johor Bahru, internal elections signal more than just changes in leadership — they point to deeper questions about the party's identity, discipline, and future in the unity government. With grassroots shakeups, a surprise bid from Nurul Izzah, and Rafizi Ramli's fiery campaign trail, we discussed whether the party can chart a clear and united course forward, or will unresolved tensions threaten to undermine its reformist ideals? Watch the latest episode of Beyond the Headlines on NST Online's YouTube channel. *This episode was recorded on May 23.
Broadcast Pro
22-05-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
LEO, AI and interoperability: Satellite connectivity enters a new era
As satellite operators respond to rising demand and growing competition, next-generation networks are being shaped by interoperability, space sustainability, AI-driven automation and the integration of non-terrestrial and terrestrial infrastructure. In an interview with SatellitePro ME, Manik Vinnakota, Vice President of Product and Customer Solutions at Telesat, shares his perspective on the key forces transforming the industry. As satellite constellations evolve across LEO, MEO, and GEO orbits, how are network design and deployment strategies evolving and where does satellite now fit within the broader connectivity landscape, alongside fiber and 5G? One of the biggest shifts in how satellites are being designed and deployed is that many satellite operators are now designing their networks for interoperability versus a separate bespoke satellite network. Interoperability use cases vary. For example, some operators are building Direct to Device (D2D) capabilities to enable emergency communications for wireless phones. Delivering universal broadband to all people and businesses needs a mix of different network technologies fiber, 5G and satellites. Satellites will complement fiber in eliminating digital deserts. Fiber is not economically viable in low population density areas. Satellites will also enable 5G expansion to rural and remote areas by connecting (as backhaul) 5G mobile sites to the telco core network. 5G is a rapidly advancing technology trend that is driving satellite and telco networks together. A transformative move is using non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), such as LEO satellites, which will be fully integrated into terrestrial networks to create hybrid terrestrial/non-terrestrial 5G mobile infrastructures to serve enterprises and consumers. Enterprise-class LEO networks can create virtual fiber networks that can reach any point globally. For the past decade, telcos have been using the MEF standard for interoperable Carrier Ethernet services. This compatibility is essential for enabling the seamless extension of terrestrial networks to areas where coverage is lacking. How is AI improving efficiency, cost, and performance in satellite network operations? The complexity of managing LEO constellations in a crowded orbital environment requires advanced tools to ensure efficiency and safety. AI plays a critical role in enabling autonomous satellite operations and real-time decision-making. From collision avoidance to space domain awareness, AI transforms how satellites are managed and optimised. What solutions will be most effective in ensuring long-term space sustainability and debris management? Recognising that space is a globally shared asset, satellite operators must prioritise its protection and preservation to ensure uninterrupted future access. This begins with robust satellite design specifications to ensure a high level of reliability throughout the spacecraft service life, including redundancies across key components and subsystems. Every satellite operator must responsibly remove spacecraft from orbit as it reaches its end of life to contribute to a safer space environment, free from debris, for generations to come. Space Situational Awareness is key and requires industry-wide data sharing and coordination. For example, operators share orbital and maneuver planning data with other nearby operators, the US Space Forces Combined Space Operations Center, Space Data Association, and the Canadian Space Agency. Additionally, some operators are active members of the U.S. Office of Space Commerce Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) and the European Unions Space Surveillance and Tracking (EU SST) system. How is the commercialisation of space and the rise of new players driving innovation and investment in the satellite sector? The satellite connectivity market has long been highly competitive, with a massive addressable market that requires multiple operators to meet growing demand. With strong momentum around LEO constellations, where do you see the biggest opportunities for LEO networks over the next five years? We estimate the Total Addressable Market (TAM) for LEO services to be approximately US $650bn by 2032. Of that, a significant portion is focused on the $320bn Enterprise services market covering the terrestrial enterprise, aviation, maritime, government and defense markets. New LEO networks are being designed with advanced capabilities to meet the demanding, secure, mission-critical requirements of enterprise and government users, with unprecedented flexibility in how customers define, deliver, manage and monitor the quality of experience to their end users all backed by guaranteed SLAs. What were your key takeaways from Satellite 2025? Demand and excitement for next-generation LEO connectivity continues to grow, whether as a stand-alone network or as part of a multi-orbit service delivery strategy. High performing, affordable, ubiquitous connectivity is not only a growth enabler in enterprise markets, but commercial LEO solutions are increasingly being leveraged by governments for defense missions and sovereign concerns. What emerging satellite technologies do you see shaping the industry over the next decade? I think well see several innovations in the Electronically Steerable Antenna (ESA) technology for highly efficient user terminals, in terms of performance and the ability to access multi-orbit services. Key technologies related to LEO satellites including optical satellite links, on-board processing and antennas will continue to advance resulting in more capable and higher capacity LEO satellites in the future. Additionally, we believe there will be increased competition in the launch sector with new rockets coming into service, as well as rockets with larger payload capacity.
