Prime Minister Najib Razak said they should also master the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to become professionals, like scientists, who will be much needed in the country’s future.

“We have reached the new millennium year which demands the world change towards the fourth industrial revolution. We have to prepare our children on how to address challenges of the new world so that in this era of globalisation, we are not left out,” he added.

He said this when opening the 62nd Federation of Peninsula Malay Students’ (GPMS) annual general meeting at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) here today.

Najib, who is the GPMS patron, cited his visit to China recently where the economic digital system known as ‘310’ was used to apply for bank loans.

“The digital economic system (310) refers to applications being processed through computers based on big data. In three minutes the loan is approved, deposited into our account in one minute and the zero (0) means no interface with human beings,” he added.

Najib said GPMS was a non-governmental organisation that was relevant to boost the spirit of Malay students to contribute to the success of the country’s education field and development.

As such, he wanted GPMS to be the key player in mobilising the National Transformation (TN50), a futuristic policy that would determine the country’s direction for 30 years after 2020.

At the event, the prime minister also announced an allocation of RM1 million for the GPMS Malaysian Students’ Education Fund, particularly to help needy students, especially medical, dentistry and pharmacy students in Egypt with arrears in study fees.

Najib also presented the “Tokoh GPMS Terbilang Sepanjang Zaman” award to former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and presented aid from the Malaysian Students’ Education Fund to 10 Malaysian students in Egypt.