SHAH ALAM - Malaysia's inaugural Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises to churn out graduates poised for high demand in both local and global job markets.
The Bachelor of Science in AI programme, a collaborative effort between the Higher Education Ministry and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), is primed to revolutionise employment dynamics, aligning with the National Artificial Intelligence Action Plan 2021-2025 by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (Mosti).
According to UTM's Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, UTM boasts the nation's highest graduate employability rate, with 16.3 per cent securing salaries of RM4,000 or more in 2022.
"Even more impressively, 700 to 800 UTM graduates have secured salaries exceeding RM4,000, with over 90 earning RM10,000 and above.
"This programme will further enhance graduates' employability," he told Sinar when contacted yesterday.
Fauzi stressed that AI graduates would enjoy diverse career opportunities and contribute significantly as the nation's future AI workforce.
"Graduates equipped with AI skills will have the flexibility to pursue various career paths, given the broad spectrum of opportunities in this field," he said.
He noted substantial interest from both local and international industrial sectors, with many already expressing keenness to collaborate with UTM and recruit its graduates.
"International students, particularly from China, have shown interest in this programme. This will undoubtedly elevate UTM's global reputation," he added.
Fauzi highlighted the industry's high regard for graduates skilled in digital content, essential for navigating the Fifth Industrial Revolution (IR 5.0).
"The demand for UTM graduates in the electronics industry alone stands at 400, owing to their exceptional digital content skills," he said.
The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence with Honors programne is set to commence in October, with an initial intake of 120 students and a three-year duration.
UTM will also introduce AI postgraduate programmes to cater to the nation's demand for AI experts.
"We anticipate an increase in student intake over the years, with enhanced facilities and academic staff," Fauzi noted.
He emphasised the importance of democratising AI education to ensure widespread access to essential skills and knowledge in the era of globalisation.
"AI presents opportunities for developing applications and technologies that enhance local industry competitiveness," he said, expressing hope for AI's potential to drive sustainable economic growth and benefit various industrial sectors, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Fauzi also urged collaboration between academia and industry to harness AI's transformative potential for Malaysia's socio-economic development.