Speaking at the opening of the Engineer and Marvex 2024 exhibition here, Fadillah said the country’s engineer-to-population ratio is low at 1:170, significantly below the 1:100 ratio seen in developed nations.

He said this disparity is partly due to inadequate salaries for junior engineers.

“Based on reports received, 35% of junior engineers in Malaysia earn below RM2,000 per month. This is a major factor discouraging students from entering the engineering field,” Fadillah said.

To address this issue, he urged industry players and educational institutions to collaborate with the government in improving the attractiveness of engineering as a career choice.

He said Malaysia’s reliance on engineers as problem-solvers and innovators was critical for the nation’s economic vibrancy and development.

Fadillah said it was important to increase the number of people pursuing studies in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.

Currently, only 45% of Malaysian students opt for STEM-related courses, falling short of the 60% target outlined in the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025.

“The government is actively promoting STEM through initiatives such as the Techlympics and National Science Week to foster greater interest in science and technology.

“However, more efforts are needed to align remuneration packages with the value engineers bring to the economy,” he added.

Fadillah expressed confidence that the Engineer and Marvex 2024 exhibition would help showcase Malaysia’s potential in producing a skilled workforce and advancing the nation’s technological capabilities.