World listens to Malaysia’s disruptive age talk

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea: The world actually listens when Malaysia speaks about the importance of education in the Age of Disruption.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he had stressed on the importance of education and internship during the meeting of leaders of the 21 Pacific Rim nations at their annual summit here.

His intervention on the matter bounced back encouragingly.

Feedbacks and questions on the importance of internship in relation to new technologies had come from the US, Hong Kong and a few other countries, Dr Mahathir said.

“I spoke about the importance of education on new technologies and knowlege-based industries during the leaders’ retreat in the morning,” he said at a press conference at the end of his two-day working visit for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) here on Sunday.

“During lunchtime, in continuation of the retreat, I received a lot of questions and I pointed out on the importance of internship to train graduates so they are qualified for their jobs.”

Citing housemanship for newly-qualified doctors, Dr Mahathir said graduates should intern at new technology companies, besides other industries such as engineering and accountancy.

“If possible, we post those people two years’ work. If engineering with engineering firm, if accountancy with accountancy firms. Doctors cannot qualify until they finish their housemanship,” he added.

Dr Mahathir said the government would not force companies to pay their interns.

He also told the retreat that Malaysia was keen to learn new technologies and knowledge-based industries.

The US, he added, had said that education was important to prepare people for the Fourth Industrial revolution.

“You have to understand digital technology, e-commere and basically all the new knowledge. If you don’t understand, then you will miss out ,” he said.

Dr Mahathir, meanwhile, commended Papua New Guinea and its people for being a successful host of the Apec summit.

Source: NST