House Of Mathematics: A Nation Built on The Algorithm of Resilience and Shared Prosperity
“The Future of the World. New Platform for Global Growth”
“Investments in Human Capital”
House Of Mathematics: A Nation Built on The Algorithm of Resilience and Shared Prosperity
By Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian, Former Senator Parliament of Malaysia Email: senatorjazirialkaf@gmail.com
As Malaysia aims to become Asia’s hub for technology and innovation, it is essential to understand the current talent supply and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) career landscape in the country. This will determine our capability to sustainably cope with the increasing demand for high-skilled workers, engineers, scientists and related professions.
During my tenure as a Senator in The Senate of Parliament Malaysia, my focus was to significantly improve our STEM education ecosystem. Maintaining sustainable growth in Malaysia, or any developing nation for that matter, requires nurturing local talents through comprehensive STEM education programs.
True, we have heard this numerous times, but have we succeeded in identifying how and where best to intervene to effectively change the status quo?
My answer is Mathematics. The bedrock of all STEM fields. We hit hard where it matters most. The fundamental. Mathematics is the cornerstone of science and core component in STEM.
In a rapidly evolving landscape of global innovation, mathematics stands at the core of every technological and scientific advancement. The development of mathematical education is one of the most important objectives of our time and the key to creating scientific and technological solutions that meet the demands of modern society.
For Malaysia, mathematics should not just be an educational pursuit but a strategic imperative to secure our prosperous future.
The Ministry of Education reported that in the current academic year, over 120,000
Standard One students lack the essential skills of Reading, Writing, and Counting (3M) and only 40% of primary school students achieve proficiency in mathematics. In the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), Malaysia’s 15- year olds scored 409 points in mathematics compared to 440 points in 2018. Malaysia scored below the OECD average of 472 points and performed lower than Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, and Vietnam.
In The Senate, I have on many occasions stressed that formal subjects taught in schools is disproportionate to the path that the country intends to head. There is a considerable lack of STEM-based learning. Imagine how this will affect us as a nation in the next 10 to 20 years?
Mathematics must be emphasised from the earliest stages of education with a robust support system throughout the whole education ecosystem.
Enhancing numeracy among students will build a solid foundation for future mathematicians, engineers and scientists, ensuring they are well-prepared to tackle the challenges of advanced scientific and technological disciplines.
Although STEM enrolment in Malaysia has been increasing and was projected to reach 50.83% in 2024, the fundamental approach must evolve to reach a benchmark enrolment of at least 65%.
Malaysia can aspire to become a leader in STEM fields and industries by aiming for excellence and increasing talent capacity through mathematics.
Malaysia is rapidly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and is becoming a regional leader in the field. To future-ready our AI agenda, substantial investments in mathematics education and research and development (R&D) is essential. Allocating serious budgets and resources to support R&D in mathematical sciences can pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries and innovations.
Engineers are essential to economic development and vibrancy. The engineer-to- population ratio in Malaysia is 1:170, lower than developed nations like Germany and France at 1:100. There were approximately 187,900 registered engineers in 2022 and we ranked 33 out of 133 countries in the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII), highlighting the need for more engineers to boost innovation and development.
In securing Malaysia’s STEM talent pool and the strong supply of mathematicians, it is imperative and high time that we establish the Malaysian Institute for Mathematics (MIM) or Institut Matematik Malaysia.
MIM will act as the national agency that provides a dedicated platform for research and development in mathematical sciences with the purpose of producing mathematicians for the next 50 years. It can serve as a hub for aspiring mathematicians, physicians and scientists, offering specialized programs and fostering a culture of excellence resulting in the contribution towards the nation’s growth and development. There are over 93 dedicated mathematical institutes worldwide.
A collaborative approach must be adopted between Malaysia and Russia to ensure that both nations could stand to benefit. It could well stand to be benefited by the world at large. Malaysia can significantly enhance its mathematics education system by collaborating with esteemed Russian institutions such as Moscow State University, St. Petersburg State University, and the Steklov Institute of Mathematics. These institutions are renowned for their strong mathematics programs and research, and by leveraging on their expertise we can develop a robust and dynamic platform for aspiring mathematicians, physicians, and scientists in Malaysia.
Last November I had the opportunity to participate in the IV Young Scientists in Congress (IV YSC) in Sochi, Russia. A major platform for dialogue between basic and frontier science, government bodies and industry, and showcases Russia’s scientific and technological development. The IV YSC is an important part of the Decade of Science and Technology announced by Decree of the Russian President to cement the role played by science and technology.
There were over 50 sessions offered during the forum and the topics that caught my interest were: Engineering and Technical Education: A Key Aspect of Ensuring Technological Sovereignty, Russian Mathematical Centres: The Foundation of National Technological Leadership, Mathematical Education 2030: Essential Components and Social Physics: From Game Theory to a Smart City Model.
The one country that has long been recognized for its strong emphasis on mathematics is Russia. At IV YSC, I witnessed firsthand the incredible advancements in mathematical research and education and its impact to the people. For example, one of the topics discussed was crop production and utilisation of mathematical models to produce the most desirable output and optimal return. The emphasis on mathematics has also fostered a culture of innovation and excellence, enabling Russia to excel in areas like aerospace, artificial intelligence and theoretical physics.
A calculated move to coordinate and collaborate on a global scale with countries like Malaysia in developing fun and inspiring mathematical programs catered for all levels and layers of society, from kindergarten to high level R&D scientist by creating programs and initiatives that actively feed towards national development strategies at its core.
Russia has a unique outfit in many countries including Malaysia; the Russian Centre for
Science and Culture (Russian House). Russian House could be an effective vehicle in Malaysia and even globally in helping countries achieve their development goals now and into the future.
Leveraging the expertise and resources of our Russian counterparts, we can create a solid and dynamic mathematics education system in Malaysia, ensuring that our nation remains at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation, not only championing AI and the semiconductor sector but in aerospace, EV, energy, medicine and even modern agriculture.
Through the prioritization of mathematics education and research, Malaysia can build a resilient workforce capable of driving innovation and sustaining growth in key sectors such as aerospace, energy, healthcare, and agriculture. Mathematics not only fuels progress but also ensures that the nation is resilient to withstand and thrive amid global uncertainties, making it an indispensable pillar of Malaysia’s development strategy.
What is the engine for growth? Mathematics. This is something we can count on.
End
“The Future of the World. New Platform for Global Growth”
“Investments in Human Capital”
House Of Mathematics: A Nation Built on The Algorithm of Resilience and Shared Prosperity
By Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian, Former Senator Parliament of Malaysia Email: senatorjazirialkaf@gmail.com
As Malaysia aims to become Asia’s hub for technology and innovation, it is essential to understand the current talent supply and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) career landscape in the country. This will determine our capability to sustainably cope with the increasing demand for high-skilled workers, engineers, scientists and related professions.
During my tenure as a Senator in The Senate of Parliament Malaysia, my focus was to significantly improve our STEM education ecosystem. Maintaining sustainable growth in Malaysia, or any developing nation for that matter, requires nurturing local talents through comprehensive STEM education programs.
True, we have heard this numerous times, but have we succeeded in identifying how and where best to intervene to effectively change the status quo?
My answer is Mathematics. The bedrock of all STEM fields. We hit hard where it matters most. The fundamental. Mathematics is the cornerstone of science and core component in STEM.
In a rapidly evolving landscape of global innovation, mathematics stands at the core of every technological and scientific advancement. The development of mathematical education is one of the most important objectives of our time and the key to creating scientific and technological solutions that meet the demands of modern society.
For Malaysia, mathematics should not just be an educational pursuit but a strategic imperative to secure our prosperous future.
The Ministry of Education reported that in the current academic year, over 120,000
Standard One students lack the essential skills of Reading, Writing, and Counting (3M) and only 40% of primary school students achieve proficiency in mathematics. In the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), Malaysia’s 15- year olds scored 409 points in mathematics compared to 440 points in 2018. Malaysia scored below the OECD average of 472 points and performed lower than Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, and Vietnam.
In The Senate, I have on many occasions stressed that formal subjects taught in schools is disproportionate to the path that the country intends to head. There is a considerable lack of STEM-based learning. Imagine how this will affect us as a nation in the next 10 to 20 years?
Mathematics must be emphasised from the earliest stages of education with a robust support system throughout the whole education ecosystem.
Enhancing numeracy among students will build a solid foundation for future mathematicians, engineers and scientists, ensuring they are well-prepared to tackle the challenges of advanced scientific and technological disciplines.
Although STEM enrolment in Malaysia has been increasing and was projected to reach 50.83% in 2024, the fundamental approach must evolve to reach a benchmark enrolment of at least 65%.
Malaysia can aspire to become a leader in STEM fields and industries by aiming for excellence and increasing talent capacity through mathematics.
Malaysia is rapidly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and is becoming a regional leader in the field. To future-ready our AI agenda, substantial investments in mathematics education and research and development (R&D) is essential. Allocating serious budgets and resources to support R&D in mathematical sciences can pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries and innovations.
Engineers are essential to economic development and vibrancy. The engineer-to- population ratio in Malaysia is 1:170, lower than developed nations like Germany and France at 1:100. There were approximately 187,900 registered engineers in 2022 and we ranked 33 out of 133 countries in the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII), highlighting the need for more engineers to boost innovation and development.
In securing Malaysia’s STEM talent pool and the strong supply of mathematicians, it is imperative and high time that we establish the Malaysian Institute for Mathematics (MIM) or Institut Matematik Malaysia.
MIM will act as the national agency that provides a dedicated platform for research and development in mathematical sciences with the purpose of producing mathematicians for the next 50 years. It can serve as a hub for aspiring mathematicians, physicians and scientists, offering specialized programs and fostering a culture of excellence resulting in the contribution towards the nation’s growth and development. There are over 93 dedicated mathematical institutes worldwide.
A collaborative approach must be adopted between Malaysia and Russia to ensure that both nations could stand to benefit. It could well stand to be benefited by the world at large. Malaysia can significantly enhance its mathematics education system by collaborating with esteemed Russian institutions such as Moscow State University, St. Petersburg State University, and the Steklov Institute of Mathematics. These institutions are renowned for their strong mathematics programs and research, and by leveraging on their expertise we can develop a robust and dynamic platform for aspiring mathematicians, physicians, and scientists in Malaysia.
Last November I had the opportunity to participate in the IV Young Scientists in Congress (IV YSC) in Sochi, Russia. A major platform for dialogue between basic and frontier science, government bodies and industry, and showcases Russia’s scientific and technological development. The IV YSC is an important part of the Decade of Science and Technology announced by Decree of the Russian President to cement the role played by science and technology.
There were over 50 sessions offered during the forum and the topics that caught my interest were: Engineering and Technical Education: A Key Aspect of Ensuring Technological Sovereignty, Russian Mathematical Centres: The Foundation of National Technological Leadership, Mathematical Education 2030: Essential Components and Social Physics: From Game Theory to a Smart City Model.
The one country that has long been recognized for its strong emphasis on mathematics is Russia. At IV YSC, I witnessed firsthand the incredible advancements in mathematical research and education and its impact to the people. For example, one of the topics discussed was crop production and utilisation of mathematical models to produce the most desirable output and optimal return. The emphasis on mathematics has also fostered a culture of innovation and excellence, enabling Russia to excel in areas like aerospace, artificial intelligence and theoretical physics.
A calculated move to coordinate and collaborate on a global scale with countries like Malaysia in developing fun and inspiring mathematical programs catered for all levels and layers of society, from kindergarten to high level R&D scientist by creating programs and initiatives that actively feed towards national development strategies at its core.
Russia has a unique outfit in many countries including Malaysia; the Russian Centre for
Science and Culture (Russian House). Russian House could be an effective vehicle in Malaysia and even globally in helping countries achieve their development goals now and into the future.
Leveraging the expertise and resources of our Russian counterparts, we can create a solid and dynamic mathematics education system in Malaysia, ensuring that our nation remains at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation, not only championing AI and the semiconductor sector but in aerospace, EV, energy, medicine and even modern agriculture.
Through the prioritization of mathematics education and research, Malaysia can build a resilient workforce capable of driving innovation and sustaining growth in key sectors such as aerospace, energy, healthcare, and agriculture. Mathematics not only fuels progress but also ensures that the nation is resilient to withstand and thrive amid global uncertainties, making it an indispensable pillar of Malaysia’s development strategy.
What is the engine for growth? Mathematics. This is something we can count on.
End
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