Headcount and FTE) by Field of Research
4.5 Malaysian-Born Scientists and Engineers Working Abroad
It is a well-known fact that thousands of Malaysian-born scientists and engineers (MBSE) are currently working abroad. These countries include the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Singapore. However, this section will only discuss Malaysian-born scientists and engineers in the U.S. and Australia. The data for other countries are not available.
Figure 4.23 presents the Malaysian- born scientists and engineers working in the U.S.
by citizenship status, type of degree, occupation group, sector of employment and educational level in 1999. As shown in panel A, there were about 8100 Malaysian-born scientists and engineers working in the U.S. In terms of citizenship status, most of the Malaysian-born scientists and engineers were still holding Malaysian citizenship (67.9 per cent), despite working in the U.S. Of these, 42.0% held a permanent visa and another 25.9% had a temporary visa. Almost one-third (32.1%) were already U.S. citizens.
In terms of type of expertise/ qualification, the largest proportion of them were in engineering (38.8%), followed by computer and mathematical sciences (16.3%), and life sciences (12.5%). About 17.5% of the Malaysian born working in the U.S. was non-scientists and engineers.
In terms of occupation group, most of them worked in the engineering area (28.9%).
About 23.7% worked in the mathematical and computer sciences area and 7.9% worked in the life sciences area.
In terms of sector of employment, more than three-quarters worked in the business and industry sector (77.6%). Slightly more than 10%
worked in the education sector, presumably in universities or colleges throughout the U.S.
About 9.2% worked in the government sector.
Figure 4.24 shows that there were 1,578 MBSE working in Australia in 2001. Slightly more than half (56.7%) had already become Australian citizens. The balance 43.3% was still Malaysians. In terms of gender, more than three- quarters (77.6%) were males. Only 22.4% were
females. When the variable industry sector was examined, almost three-quarters (72.9%) were working in the private sector. About 14.8% were working with the state/territory government.
Figure 4.25 shows that in terms of types of occupation, an overwhelming proportion of MBSE working in Australia were working as building and engineering professionals (71.3%).
The balance was engaged as natural and physical science professionals (28.7%).
A large proportion of MBSE working in Australia were involved in the property and business services industry (40%). This was followed by the manufacturing industry 16.0%, health and community services industry 9.2%, and government administration and defense industry 6.7% (Figure 4.26).
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Chapter 4 Human Resource For Science and Technology
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Human Resource For Science and Technology Chapter 4
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Human Resource For Science and Technology Chapter 4
Malaysia has been experiencing tremendous achievement in its industrialisation progammes beginning with import substitution in the sixties to the present export-oriented and globalised economy. Malaysia is now moving towards the knowledge-based economy. In order to implement this strategic shift, Malaysia needs highly skilled workforce in all sectors of its economy. As it has been widely acknowledged, Malaysia could benefit from an increase in human resource in the fields of science and technology. The ratio of R&D scientists and technologists is 15 per 10,000 labour force in year 2000, which pales in comparison to Singapore (83:10,000) and South Korea (60:10,000). Malaysia intends to increase this ratio to 60 per 10,000 labour force by 2010. Realising the importance of human resource in ICT for the knowledge-based economy, the government has plans to increase the number of personnel employed in the field of information technology from 108,000 to 306,610 by year 2010, representing an increase of 11% in annual employment.
Efforts to expand the pool of highly skilled personnel included the brain gain programme started in 1995, which encouraged foreign scientists and Malaysian scientists residing overseas to work in Malaysia. The incentives are mostly in the form of allowances, which is quite similar to those received by employees in the public sector. Some examples of incentives include allowance for excess baggage, food and accommodation for 10 days upon arrival in Malaysia, housing allowance of RM1,000-RM2,500 per month and payment of gratuity upon completion of service contract. Added incentives are full coverage of primary school tuition fees and two-thirds coverage of secondary school tuition fees for school-going children. The programme was successful in recruiting 94 (24 Malaysians and 70 foreigners) scientists. However, by 2004 they have all returned to their home/host countries.
In 2001, the government introduced another programme known as the Returnees
Programme to attract highly skilled Malaysians residing overseas to return and serve in the country. The programme targeted not only scientists but also individuals with expertise in various fields such as science and technology, information and communications technology (ICT), medical and health, and finance and accounting. Returnees would receive the following incentives under the programme:
• Tax exemption for all personal effects brought into Malaysia.
• Import duty and sales tax exemption for two motorcars registered in the country of residence of the applicant for at least six months in the name of the husband/ wife/ child.
• Permanent resident status for non- Malaysian spouse and children of the applicant.
Terms and conditions for applicants differ by field of expertise and academic qualifications. For example, the requirements for applicants in the field of ICT:
• Minimum two years after obtaining PhD; or
• Minimum four years after obtaining Masters degree; or
• Minimum six years after obtaining Bachelor degree; or
• Minimum ten years after obtaining Diploma
Response to this programme has not been encouraging so far. While there is an estimated number of 30,000 Malaysians working abroad, only 665 had applied from 2001 to August 2004. Of this, 279 applications were approved and 165 had taken up the offer and returned. Table 1 and Table 2 show the status of the programme.
Malaysian Science and Technology Indicators 2004 Report