KUCHING, Nov 28: Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee has called on the government to look into the excessive number of medical universities in the country.
“In Malaysia, we have over 30 universities or colleges that offer medical courses. By the time these students graduate, they are unable to secure housemanship posts at health facilities due to oversupply.
“In Australia, there are about 13 medical universities, while over in the United Kingdom, there is less than 20. We need to look into this issue,” he said at the Retail Programme (PROTUNe) awards ceremony today.
On Nov 9, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad revealed the Ministry of Health (MoH) could no longer fully place graduate medical officers, including those sponsored by the government, into permanent appointments because it is subject the availability of posts at health facilities.
Dr Annuar also revealed that every year, 60 per cent of graduates (all sectors) in the country are unemployed due to being unsuitable for industry demands.
He therefore called on students to be innovative, flexible and entrepreneurial to deal with the growing numbers of the unemployed.
“Instead of looking for jobs, I believe graduates should create them. In business, you need to be creative in order to be successful,” he suggested.
The PROTUNe programme which started in 1995, aims to nurture, inculcate, educate and inspire secondary school students in entrepreneurship.
Dr Annuar is hopeful that such programmes will help produce young entrepreneurs among youth who are not only looking for a lucrative career but also dare to start their own businesses to become successful.
A total of 60 students from 10 secondary schools statewide took part in this year’s convention from Nov 25 to 28. — DayakDaily
