PETALING JAYA: Public and private universities must ensure necessary interventions are made in order to keep abreast with the needs of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0), says Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad.

       He said there was a need to improve digitalisation in higher education, with emphasis on elements such as the Internet of Things (IoT), System Physic Cyber (CPS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

       “The necessary academic interventions must be carried out by private and public universities across the country, so that it is in line with the needs of IR4.0,” he said during a visit to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in Bangi yesterday.

       He was accompanied by Higher Education Ministry deputy secretary-general (management and development) Datuk Rosli Yaakub and Higher Education director-general Prof Datuk Dr Husaini Omar. They were welcomed by UKM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman and members of the university’s higher management staff.

       Dr Ahmad Masrizal said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad was also focusing on the importance of universities in creating graduates of good character.

       “For her, such elements are an important precondition for the nurturing of citizens who will rival those from other parts of the world,” he added.

       Dr Ahmad Masrizal said he was confident that universities would help ensure the nation’s higher education agenda was achieved.

       “This is also a time to think creatively and to implement big changes. If we unite in this objective, the country will not just recover from the pandemic, but also make a digital leap for future generations.

       “The importance of digital education in IR4.0 will improve the preparedness of future leaders of the country. The Higher Education Ministry will fully support all these efforts,” he added.