Craig
11-08-2002, 10:10 PM
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/asia/stor...,153859,00.html (http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/asia/story/0,4386,153859,00.html)?
Science and tech students may be granted exemption from NS
KL hopes this would encourage more students to take up the sciences. Malaysia will need 140,000 scientists by 2010
BANGI - Malaysian students taking science and technology courses may be exempted from national service to help meet the shortage of scientists in the country, according to Science, Technology and Environment Minister Law Hieng Ding.
'We need about 140,000 scientists by 2010. Now we have about 30,000. In the next eight years, how do we come up with more than 100,000 scientists and engineers?' he asked.
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He said that during his recent visit to South Korea, he had discussed with the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kais) officials how their country had overcome a lack of interest in science and technology.
'There, those who take courses in science and technology are exempted from national service. It did attract students, and can be a way of encouraging them to take up professions in the sciences,' he said on Thursday.
This was important, he said, as the ministry was concerned about the shortfall in the number of scientists and engineers.
He said though national service was still in the planning stage, the possibility of exemptions could still be included.
'We can suggest this move to address the issue of shortage of scientists,' he added.
Last month, Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak announced that a modified type of national service was to be made compulsory for young Malaysians.
He pointed out that the Cabinet had decided on the move and would be legislating it as well as forming a committee to consider various aspects of a Malaysian national service.
It was unlikely to be the same as Singapore's, which requires two years of national service from young people when they reach 18 years of age.
And while it would contain some military elements it would also focus on effectiveness and productivity.
Mr Law said national service would preferably be for those who had just completed the SPM examination (equivalent to the O Levels) and were waiting for results.
But nothing had been finalised, he added.
He also said the government was sensitive to the concerns of the public and would try to convince them that it was in their best interests.
Science and tech students may be granted exemption from NS
KL hopes this would encourage more students to take up the sciences. Malaysia will need 140,000 scientists by 2010
BANGI - Malaysian students taking science and technology courses may be exempted from national service to help meet the shortage of scientists in the country, according to Science, Technology and Environment Minister Law Hieng Ding.
'We need about 140,000 scientists by 2010. Now we have about 30,000. In the next eight years, how do we come up with more than 100,000 scientists and engineers?' he asked.
Advertisement
He said that during his recent visit to South Korea, he had discussed with the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kais) officials how their country had overcome a lack of interest in science and technology.
'There, those who take courses in science and technology are exempted from national service. It did attract students, and can be a way of encouraging them to take up professions in the sciences,' he said on Thursday.
This was important, he said, as the ministry was concerned about the shortfall in the number of scientists and engineers.
He said though national service was still in the planning stage, the possibility of exemptions could still be included.
'We can suggest this move to address the issue of shortage of scientists,' he added.
Last month, Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak announced that a modified type of national service was to be made compulsory for young Malaysians.
He pointed out that the Cabinet had decided on the move and would be legislating it as well as forming a committee to consider various aspects of a Malaysian national service.
It was unlikely to be the same as Singapore's, which requires two years of national service from young people when they reach 18 years of age.
And while it would contain some military elements it would also focus on effectiveness and productivity.
Mr Law said national service would preferably be for those who had just completed the SPM examination (equivalent to the O Levels) and were waiting for results.
But nothing had been finalised, he added.
He also said the government was sensitive to the concerns of the public and would try to convince them that it was in their best interests.