Ipoh: Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies in higher education is vital for Malaysia to build the human and intellectual capital needed to navigate current global uncertainties, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said. He emphasized the importance of a balanced integration of technological advancement, human capital development, and moral values in the academic curriculum.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has developed a 10-year blueprint for 2026-2035 to ensure progress in these areas. Highlighting the evolution of disciplines such as AI, quantum computing, and planetary health, Zambry stressed the need for higher education institutions to infuse ethics and moral values seamlessly into their academic programs.
Zambry expressed the ministry's goal to nurture a new generation equipped to face future challenges, particularly those arising from AI and its algorithms. "We must strike the right balance by ensuring moral and ethical values are integrated into the education system," he stated during a panel session at the 8th World Conference on Islamic Thought and Civilisation (WCIT).
He further explained the necessity for education to evolve from traditional Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to STEAM by including arts and liberal studies. "STEM has evolved into STEAM with the addition of 'A' for arts or liberal studies," Zambry noted. He highlighted examples from Universiti Teknologi Petronas, where engineering programs incorporate courses beyond engineering to shape students' personalities and character.
The 10-year blueprint by MOHE places humanity at its core, aiming to nurture not only critical thinking minds but also individuals of strong character, integrity, and conscience. Zambry concluded by underscoring the role of comprehensive education in character development, emphasizing that while AI can provide precise answers and rapid solutions, it cannot cultivate the necessary personal qualities.