Geoffrey Williams, an economist at Malaysia University of Science and Technology said there has been an overemphasis on courses like management and accounting, causing liberal arts studies to be sidelined.

Citing a study on the future of work in Britain and the US, he said there was only a 26% potential for an increase in demand for jobs in business, management and accounting.

On the other hand, he said, there was a 100% chance for jobs in social care, health and welfare to increase in demand, despite only 7% of private university students there pursuing such careers.

Routine and repetitive tasks were now easily carried out through automation and machines, but social, personal and interpersonal skills were among the human abilities which will be difficult to replicate through technology, he said.

“Creativity is also something that is inherently human in form, as are the capacities for critical analysis, good judgment and ethical balance.

“So subjects that help us develop our capacity for these skills — such as the arts, humanities and social sciences — are likely to be more in demand in the future work environment,” he said.

HELP University’s Paolo Casadio said promoting the growth of these skills and areas of study were a good way for developing economies to acquire some form of competitive advantage.

He also noted the apprehension of Malaysian parents towards such career paths and said they should understand what jobs and skills would be in demand in the future.

“Traditional jobs such as accounting and even medicine will be rapidly automated, so salaries may fall in these professions. Just look at the salaries of academics which have fallen dramatically in recent years.

“They must stop looking at education in purely instrumental terms and allow their children to choose their studies themselves, understanding that the arts, humanities and social sciences prepare people better for the future of work,” he told FMT.