Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan

Tan Sri Dr. Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah“This is the challenge forthe education institutionsin Malaysia. Our schools,skills centres, polytechnicsand universities must play aproactive role and expose ourstudents to the state of the arttechnologies. In addition, ourstudents should be inculcatedwith good working habits,suitable soft skills and the yearnfor continuous improvement.This long-standing issue mustbe addressed immediately”The new economy also requires our companies to re-examine their businessmodels. In conventional models, maximisation of shareholder wealth is seen to bethe ultimate. Men’s insatiable wants have resulted in companies pursuing wealthat the expense of benefits and well being of the people.Companies should be held responsible for their own actions and/or inactionswithout Government interference. Such responsible companies will create lastingrelationship with customers and stakeholders. Ethics and integrity should be theirguiding principles. Human capital is the key ingredient in the new growth model. Aswe progress in the new economy, there will be a greater demand for high skilledjobs and if the supply is not available domestically we have to source and pay forsuch talents elsewhere.This is the challenge for the education institutions in Malaysia. Our schools, skillscentres, polytechnics and universities must play a proactive role and expose ourstudents to the state of the art technologies. In addition, our students should beinculcated with good working habits, suitable soft skills and the yearn for continuousimprovement. This long-standing issue must be addressed immediately.97