Education & Health

The Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-25 was launched in September 2012 and is now implementing phase one, which runs to 2015. With a solid foundation to build on, the government is eager to raise education standards and broaden access in conjunction with the goals it has set for 2020. Two key elements of this are foreign direct investment and collaboration from private institutions. For Malaysia to achieve its developed nation goals by 2020 it will need 500,000 new employees in the fields of science and technology, according to the Ministry of Science. One government goal is to have at least one domestic institution ranked among the world’s top 50 by 2020, and at least three in the top 100. The highest-placing university in recent rankings made 167. Malaysia boasts a strong health care sector backed by government investment and engagement with the private sector. The number of medical tourists to Malaysia rose from 617,000 in 2012 to about 700,000 in 2013, a function of the country’s rising global reputation. With the ASEAN Economic Community single market set for launch in 2015, the Malaysian health industry needs to prepare for an increased flow of workers and stiffer competition in segments like medical tourism. Higher standards and quality should be the sector’s aim as it tackles new public health concerns and begins to adapt. This chapter features an interview with Idris bin Jusoh, Minister of Education II.