Integrated efforts and measures between the government and the private sector should be hastened to address the serious shortage of scientists and engineers in the country.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh said the National Council of Science, Research and Development found that the country needed about 500,000 scientists and engineers by 2030. 

However, she said currently the country has only 70,000 registered engineers, seven times lower than the number required.

"I think it's a challenge as we build this nation, the education plays an important role. So, we have to make sure that our graduates are competitive," she told reporters after the launch of the Women's International Conference on Science, Engineering and Technology (WiSET) here today.

WiSET was held in conjunction with the AseanM & E Show 2018, the region's premier mechanical and electrical engineering exhibition.

In a related development, Yeoh said support structures were necessary in order to empower women in the workforce.

"We need to produce competitive graduates moving forward. That is why we need to continuously engage (students)... maybe through internship or any kind of programmes to help our students, especially women, to become more competitive.

“To keep women in the workforce, the supporting structure must be in place, both in the government and private sector, to help them flourish," she added.

- Bernama