Top 20 Information Technology (IT) & Computing Jobs in Demand in Malaysia EduSpiral Consultant Services Best advise & information on courses at Malaysia’s top private universities and colleges

Best Information Technology or Computing Jobs in Demand in Malaysia

Technology will continue to take centre stage in Malaysia’s development in 2020. In addition to the Industry4WRD initiative, the government has identified key digital areas to increase investments in, which include cloud, Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, on-demand marketplace platforms as well as artificial intelligence. In 2020, more companies are also expected to leverage government grants and tax rebates to build a culture that encourages and drives innovation.

Many business leaders look to technology experts to guide them in driving digital transformation projects to achieve efficiency and stay competitive. Besides digitising internal processes to create efficiencies and generate cost savings, technologists are also expected to develop new products to build customer base or deepen share of wallet.

Despite an increase in hiring appetite in information and technology, there remains a shortage of skilled tech talent in the labour market. Technology has made many rapid advancements in the past decade, but many workers are still playing catch-up in acquiring new skills, which creates a widening skills gap in Malaysia.

For candidates, those ready to embrace the impending digitisation of all industries and equip themselves with the change management skills needed to weather transformation will be best placed for the year ahead. In a candidate-short market such as Malaysia, it is not uncommon for top IT talent to receive multiple offers.

When choosing the right course to study in Malaysia, one of the criteria that students should look at is the job demand. Job demand for computer science or information technology (IT) jobs is high in demand in Malaysia and globally. There are many types of IT courses and areas that one can work in, therefore it can be confusing to choose the right course to study. If you don’t plan carefully, you may end up studying an IT course that has no job demand after you graduate. This would be an incredible waste of your time and money.

Here at EduSpiral Consultant Services, we do our research on the job demand for the careers in Malaysia, Salary Reports, and universities so that we can advise our students based on facts and evidence. Students need to talk to the right education counselors so that you get the right information to help you in making this life-changing decision.

Students should also choose the best university in Malaysia for Computer Science, Software Engineering or information technology (IT) to study so that they can be competent and skilful in their career.

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Top 20 Computer Science, Computing & Information Technology Jobs in Demand in Malaysia

I wanted to study mobile computing & EduSpiral shared with me about the course & helped me to choose the right university
Mun Kit, Mobile Computing at Asia Pacific University (APU)

Malaysian employees can expect to see salary increases in several sectors such as finance and information technology in 2018, according to a salary survey from international recruitment firm Robert Walters.

According to Robert Walters Salary Report 2018, the data showed that the information technology (IT) sector in Malaysia is expected to grow the fastest next year in a candidate-driven market with salary increments ranging between 20% to 30%.

Robert Walters Malaysia country manager Kimberlyn Lu stated that hiring activity will remain active in 2018, driven mostly by continuous growth of e-commerce, digitalisation, fintech, shared services and better organisational optimisation.

“We see a high demand in IT jobs spanning across the fintech, banking, as well as the healthcare sector such as data analysts, software engineers and cyber security,” Lu said. “Candidates with niche skills and better adaptability stand a better chance of being hired as trends are set to change to a different one based on companies’ specified skills required for them.

Software Engineering or Computer Programming
Information Communication Technology (ICT)
Computer Science
Solution Architect
Information Security Analysts
SAP
Data Science or Big Data Analytics
Cybersecurity or Computer Security
Internet of Things (IoT)
Network Computing
Database Administration
Information Systems
Intelligent Systems
Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
Virtual Reality (VR)
Java developers
Mobile developers
Automation testers
Digital marketers
e-Commerce specialists

Top Computer Science & Information Technology (IT) Jobs in Demand in Malaysia

EduSpiral took me & my friends to tour a few universities to help us make the right choice. He then met me & my father for further counseling & to assist in registering.
Horng Yarng, Diploma in ICT at Asia Pacific University

According to Michael Page, Financial technology, the Internet of Things and Big Data are expected
to be among this year’s fastest-growing sectors. Many companies will be building in-house digital teams and some roles are expected to encompass the Asia Pacific or South East Asia region. Already, the government has announced plans to set up digital hubs for the country’s start-up community in the country.

However, due to the relative newness of Malaysia’s digital sector, firms will find it challenging to find candidates who have the experience and expertise required. This challenge is exacerbated by candidates who resign after an average of 6-12 months to pursue better opportunities with competitors, including those in Singapore, Hong Kong and China.

As a result, many employers (including well-known brand names) have had to increase salaries by 30% — more when it comes to senior-level hires — to attract the right talent. Skill sets in demand include Google analytics, Big Data, data analytics, search engine marketing, social media marketing, e-commerce, Java (Android) and Swift (iOs). Hot IT jobs in demand in Malaysia are Java developers, mobile developers, automation testers, digital marketers, e-commerce specialists, data scientists and product managers.

Realising the importance of IT, Malaysia is also working on various plans and strategies both at domestic and international levels. With the support and favourable government policies, Malaysia is also able to keep pace with development and advancements happening at international levels.

Digital Malaysia is such a strategic national programme to move the country towards the digital economy by 2020. The main objective is to promote persistent use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in all aspects of the Malaysian economy. It will ultimately help develop a global community, increase gross national income and improve the standards of living. In short, it will empower the government, businesses and all Malaysians.

The 2020 Digital Malaysia programme has targeted to produce 160,000 high-value jobs, with additional RM7,000 income per annum for 350,000 citizens. As a part of this programme, digital entrepreneurs, including Malaysian youth and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), will be some of the main target groups.

According to a study conducted by MSC Malaysia on talent demand and supply, the demand for ICT professionals is growing such that annually the ICT industry would need more than 33,000 knowledge workers. By 2018, the total demand for ICT professionals is projected to be 134,438. In 2014, there was a shortage of 5,800 computer science (CS) and information technology (IT) talent workforce against the demand of 13,300.

In short, the supply of computer science (CS) and information technology (IT) graduates fulfils only 60% of the demand in Malaysia. It is important for Malaysia to keep a balance in supply and demand of both fresh and experienced graduates to meet the growing demands of the IT industry.

Malaysia is complementing its requirements by hiring foreign talents from India, Thailand, UK, Japan, China and the Middle East, but there is need to bridge this supply-demand gap from the domestic workforce.

Currently, 59% of the Malaysian IT pool belongs to user groups such as technical helpdesk analysts, IT business analysts and computer operators. However, there is also need to produce more professionals at a creator level, such as software engineers, programmers, solution architects and designers.

At present, programmers and technical support people are the most common roles in the existing workforce. Some 80% of the job vacancies require experienced professionals while the remaining 20% are for fresh graduates.

The IT industry needs 107,000 experienced people and approximately 27,000 fresh graduates between 2014 and 2018. Since 2010, there has been an 8% increase in the salaries of fresh graduates and the trend shows that it will keep increasing.

While multinational companies (MNCs) offer higher starting salary to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), salary increments for IT professionals are more attractive and competitive among SMEs than MNCs.

The average salary of an IT professional is around RM7,000. A typical IT project manager earns a monthly salary of about RM9,000.

In the coming years, the jobs that will be in high demand are software engineers, programmers, mobile application developers, SAP analysts and consultants, animators (graphics and multimedia), customer support engineers, technical support engineers, software architects, IT project managers, IT managers, data centre managers, security specialists, operations heads, network, systems and information security specialists and data analysts.

Similarly, SAP, Oracle and network technologies are expected to be in huge demand as well. The IT industry is now facing a severe shortage of fresh graduates as well as experienced talents in the emerging fields of big data analytics, data science and Internet of Things.

Besides their qualifications, fresh graduates need to have interpersonal communication skills – an absolute necessity these days. The job market for fresh IT graduates and experienced professionals is quite vast. IT professionals are an integral part of any organisation, not just in Malaysia but in other countries too.

To produce a good quality IT talent pool, there is a need to improve the fresh graduates’ soft skills, such as communication, problem solving, presentation and leadership skills, positive attitude and good command of English.

Job Demand for Software Engineering or Software Developers in Malaysia

I was confused about what to study & at which university. Talking to EduSpiral helped clear my doubts.
Zen Yi, Graduated from Software Engineering at Asia Pacific University (APU)

Software developers usually have a bachelor’s degree in computer science and strong computer programming skills. The need for new applications on mobile devices and tablets will help increase the demand for application software developers. Software and applications developers work in many different fields, with growth expected in the medical insurance, consumer electronics, and cybersecurity fields.

Robert Walters Malaysia managing director Sally Raj says software developers and cyber security experts can expect significant salary raises of up to 25% when moving jobs in 2017, as cyber security professionals will be highly sought after across a number of industries, especially in the banking sector. A program manager may bring in an annual salary of between RM240,000 and RM360,000 from RM216,000 and RM336,000 last year.

As digital, mobile and e-commerce-related companies expand their businesses, there will be an increase in the number of employers recruiting mobile engineers and software developers.

According to Michael Page, conditions for growth in Malaysia are especially positive for technology companies operating in the areas of financial technology (fintech), app development, and e-commerce. More of such companies are relocating to Malaysia for its strategic location and low operating costs. This will likely continue this year.

On the hiring front, 60% of companies said they will be actively looking to hire mid-to high-level employees with digital skills, such as software programming, app development, and data analytics. Apart
from start-ups, demand for such skills has also become increasingly urgent for more traditional companies looking to engineer new technology functions.

Job Demand for Information Security Analysts in Malaysia

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Boon Ping, Software Engineering at Asia Pacific University

Most information security analysts work for computer companies, consulting firms, or business and financial companies. Most information security analyst positions require a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field. Demand for information security analysts is expected to be very high, as these analysts will be needed to create innovative solutions to prevent hackers from stealing critical information or causing problems for computer networks.

And, with a growing number of large-scale cyberattacks including the global WannaCry ransomware which infected more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries this year, it’s no surprise that cybersecurity experts are high on the wanted list. Organisations need such professionals to safeguard their IT operations. According to Hays, the increasing threat of cyber security has created huge demand for security experts who can safeguard the IT systems of organisations against malicious cyber-attacks.

Meanwhile, Robert Walters Malaysia managing director Sally Raj says software developers and cyber security experts can expect significant salary raises of up to 25% when moving jobs in 2017, as cyber security professionals will be highly sought after across a number of industries, especially in the banking sector.

Computer Support Specialists

As technology becomes more complex and widespread, support specialists will be needed in greater numbers to resolve the technical problems that arise. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree and a strong technical background should have the best job opportunities.

Job Demand for Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Malaysia

According to the JobStreet.com 2017 Salary Report, IT/computer consulting jobs (IT, science, engineering and technical) for senior managers in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya command the highest average maximum monthly salary of around RM18,000.

Meanwhile, IT/computer workers in consumer and fast-moving consumer goods industries earn the highest average minimum salary of RM14,000 within the same region.

Job Demand for Solutions Architect in Malaysia

EduSpiral shared about the scholarship & the importance of getting a solid education in IT for a successful career. EduSpiral talked to my mum to convince her that with the scholarship, APU would be a good investment in my future
Jia Chong, Diploma in IT (Software Engineering) at Asia Pacific University

According to Human Resources Online, Solutions architect for application development can take home in the range of RM180k-250k per month.

If you are a creative problem-solver and enjoy working with computers, you might be wondering how to become a solution architect. A solution architect is a professional in the field of information technology (IT). As the job title implies, solution architects solve computer-based problems, usually through designing and developing technical applications and information systems. Solution architects create the technical, computer-based tools that help businesses achieve their goals.

While the word “architect” in the job title may be confusing, the career focuses on business technology, not the design of buildings. SolutionArchitecture.org, an online community of professional solution architectures, compares the role of a solution architect with that of a civil engineer. Like engineers, solution architects invent solutions, including the details necessary for making those solutions successful.

Solution architects begin their work on a project by developing an understanding of businesses’ needs, often by consulting with business analysts, project managers, constructors and other stakeholders. Based on these goals, solution architects devise technical applications that will solve the problems or fulfill the required function. Solutions architects then determine which potential solution is most practical and likely to successfully accomplish the purpose of the project. Next, solution architects express the proposed solution as an application design. Solution architects create the conceptual solutions to problems first, and then develop the specifications that constructors need to make the idea a reality.

To become a solution architect, you should first earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, software engineering or a related major. During your education, you will most likely study database management, hardware compatibility, operating systems, programming, systems engineering and advanced mathematics courses.

After earning their degrees, aspiring solution architects often need to cultivate job experience in the field of information technology, in a branch like business intelligence tools or database management systems. Businesses may require that candidates for solution architect positions have five to ten years of experience. One way aspiring solution architects can improve their job prospects is by obtaining certification from an agency.

Job Demand for Network Computing or Computer and Network Systems Analysts in Malaysia

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Jerry Cheong, Diploma in ICT at Asia Pacific University

Additional job growth is expected for computer systems analysts in health care fields. A large increase is also anticipated in electronic medical records, e-prescribing, and other forms of health care IT, and analysts will be needed to design computer systems to accommodate the increase. Growth in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and mobile networks will increase demand for these workers

Hays regional director for Malaysia Tom Osborne shares that the technology sector will likely see the highest jump in salary this year. “The key sectors in Malaysia that will see pay hikes include information technology. Areas in IT where growth will occur include IT infrastructure systems administration and management positions.

For instance, a network engineer in the systems administration side could rake in an annual salary of between RM96,000 and RM144,000 this year compared to between RM72,000 and RM120,000 last year. Infrastructure services such as networks, platforms and specialist areas such as cloud and virtualisation; Salaries of IT directors with more than 10 years of experience pegged at RM250k-360k per annum

Job Demand for Data Science or Data Analytics in Malaysia

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Seng Foong & Samson, Software Engineering at Asia Pacific University (APU)

Malaysia’s national ICT agency Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) has unveiled a plan, supported by seven public and private institutes of higher learning (IHLs), to increase the number of local data scientists from the current 80 to 2000 by the year 2020.

There is a tremendous requirement for Data Scientists and Big Data Specialists worldwide now and in the future, with hundreds of thousands of new job opportunities emerging globally. In Malaysia alone, by the year 2020 this need is expected to reach at least 20,000 data professionals and 2000 data scientists. Job demand as well as salary for qualified Data Scientists or Big Data Professionals in Malaysia is high.

Data science, also known as data analytics or data-driven science, is an interdisciplinary field about scientific methods, processes, and systems to extract knowledge or insights from data in various forms, either structured or unstructured, similar to data mining.

Data science is a multidisciplinary blend of data inference, algorithm development, and technology in order to solve analytically complex problems. At the core is data. Millions of raw information, streaming in and stored in enterprise data warehouses. Much to learn by mining it. Advanced capabilities we can build with it. Data science is ultimately about using this data in creative ways to generate business value

The best universities in Malaysia to study Data Science are Asia Pacific University (APU) and Multimedia University (MMU).

Job Demand for Cybersecurity or Computer Systems Security in Malaysia

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Qi Leem, Software Engineering Graduate from Asia Pacific University (APU)

As technology advances, the number of computer systems in Malaysia and globally has increased dramatically, and the dependence upon them by individuals, businesses, industries and governments have grown. This means that there are an increasing number of systems at risk. Serious financial damage can result from cyber attacks and sometimes even physically.

These cyberthreats take many forms like application attacks, malware, ransomware, phishing, exploit kits). Unfortunately, cyber adversaries have learned to launch automated and sophisticated attacks using these tactics – at lower and lower costs. As a result, keeping pace with cybersecurity strategy and operations can be a challenge, particularly in government and enterprise networks where, in their most disruptive form, cyberthreats often take aim at secret, political, military or infrastructural assets of a nation, or its people.

Computer security, also known as cyber security or IT security, is the protection of computer systems from the theft and damage to their hardware, software or information, as well as from disruption or misdirection of the services they provide. Cybersecurity refers to a set of techniques used to protect the integrity of networks, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access. According to Forbes, the global cybersecurity market reached $75 billion for 2015 and is expected to hit $170 billion in 2020.

With so much data that needs to be protected from theft or damage, governments and businesses need trained professionals in Computer Security or Cyber Security to ensure sufficient protection. A degree programme in Cyber Security or Computer Security is not easy to study therefore students should choose top universities in Malaysia with a proven track record in information technology education and having won awards as evidence of their capability. The best universities in Computer Security or Cyber Security will ensure that graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to handle the complexities of the job which will result in an excellent career

Job Demand for Internet of Things (IoT) in Malaysia

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Kah Jun, Software Engineering at APU

IoT is more than just having Internet connectivity on everyday appliances. Essentially, IoT is a convergence of smart devices that generates data through sensors to create new information and knowledge to boost human intelligence, productivity and quality of life.

IoT is defined as “Intelligent interactivity between human and things to exchange information and knowledge for new value creation”. It is a complex yet complete solution compassing three main technology components, namely connected things with embedded sensors, connectivity and infrastructure, and last but not least, analytics and applications.

For example, factories can place sensors on its machines and equipment to discover early signs of fatigue on the machines or related parts. This way, preventive maintenance can be done on machines just before they break down and cause production downtime.

In the world of rapid digital interaction, IoT gives insights on how consumers integrate technology in their daily lives, a valuable information that can be used in various ways. The growing need for internet-related products and services is driving this transition, not only globally but also here in Malaysia.

According to youth in Malaysia, the most exciting technologies expected to have the largest impact on their future lives will be Internet of Things (IoT) based on survey findings released by Microsoft.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is ranked as the top technology that Malaysian youth expect to have the biggest impact on their lives. In recent years, the confluence of power devices, cloud and data has enabled bold visions on how IoT can be an integrated part of our digital future.

IoT refers to the ever-growing network of physical objects connected to the Internet and the communication that occurs between these objects and other devices and systems. This includes everything from street sensors, home appliances, wearables, and vehicles.

In 2015, the Ministry of Science, Innovation & Technology Malaysia launched the National IoT Strategic Roadmap, which forecasted opportunities to reach RM9.5 billion in 2020 and RM42.5 billion in 2025. This is all done to create a national ecosystem to make IoT a new source of economic growth with its industrialisation and proliferation of use.

The National IoT Strategic Roadmap outlines 3 national goals:

Malaysia as the Regional Development Hub for IoT
Create a conducive IoT industry ecosystem
Strengthen technopreneur capabilities in Apps & Services layer

Gartner predicts that by 2017, 50 percent of IoT solutions (typically a product combined with a service) will originate in startups that are less than three years old. Malaysia also have their own IoT Ecosystem.

Over the recent years, technology companies have developed more devices with capabilities to be connected to the Internet — including watches, televisions, cameras and others. A separate report by IHS Markit also suggested that there will be more than 20 billion connected devices in 2020.

In Malaysia, the IoT industry is expected to generate over 14,000 new jobs and contribute billions of ringgit to the economy.

According to MIMOS, IoT will create a positive impact on several areas. First, it expects mobile device penetration to hit 280% by 2025 (from 144% currently). It also expects mobile broadband penetration to jump to 167% by 2025 (from under 15% in 2015) and mobile services to more than double to US$16 billion in 2025.

MIMOS also added that implementation of IoT is also likely to contribute RM9.5 billion to Malaysia’s gross national income by 2020, and RM42.5 billion by 2025. From the RM42.5 billion projection, RM34 billion will be driven by apps and services, as well as analytics solutions.

Separately, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation added that IoT is likely to create over 14,270 high-skilled employment opportunities by 2020.

By building the local IoT ecosystem, it allows local startups and tech companies to tap onto the vast potential globally — which is estimated to be valued from US$1.9 trillion to US$7.1 trillion by 2020.

“IoT will be the key driver in transforming Malaysia into a high-income economy. It has the potential to transform Malaysia’s traditional economy of agriculture and manufacturing and enable it to move up the value chain,” said Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Chief Strategy Officer Siva Ramanathan

Job Demand for Digital Marketing in Malaysia

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Vickey, Diploma in IT at Multimedia University (MMU)

This year promises to be another year of growth for the marketing and digital sector in Malaysia, as the country continues to attract increasing amounts of direct foreign investment. The Hays Salary Report Malaysia 2018, which surveyed 3,000 organisations across over 15 industries employing more than six million people in Asia Pacific, described this year’s outlook for the online, media and digital industry as “hot”.

The new flow of jobs for marketing and digital candidates are a result of the new manufacturing plants in Penang, Johor Bahru and Selangor in particular, and is set to continue throughout the year.
The start-up and e-commerce boom will continue at “full strength”, with more new technology companies opening their doors in Malaysia.

The market is also tipped to grow further over the next financial year, which will result in a stronger demand for skilled digital marketers. HAYS predicts this trend to last through to 2019.

With the government’s ongoing initiatives to push the country towards a digital economy, Malaysia is equipped to nurture a digital workforce to catch up with the technological advances in other Asia Pacific countries. As there have been rapid development across artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, blockchain and virtual reality (VR), the report said candidates can expect plenty of developer roles in Malaysia this year. The roles will focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Web and mobile developers, as well as UI/UX designers will also remain in demand. Additionally, many Malaysian companies are expected to recruit talent who possess technical analytical skills and customer analysis skills across industries including e-commerce, finance and manufacturing. The report also predicts Malaysian companies to invest in their infrastructure capabilities within cloud computing and IoT this year, thus creating new job openings.

Despite the positive outlook for Malaysia, the report identified the marketing and digital sector as one of the areas that face difficulty in recruiting in Asia Pacific. According to respondents, 19% of them found it tough to recruit middle management for this sector, followed by senior management (13%) and entry level to middle management candidates (12%).

Information Technology (IT) Jobs in Demand in Malaysia According to the Critical Occupations List (COL)

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Harold, Diploma in Business IT at Asia Pacific University (APU)

The Critical Occupations List (COL) for Malaysia aims to be the primary instrument to promote better coordination of human capital policies aimed at attracting, nurturing and retaining talent.
Collated on an annual basis by the Critical Skills Monitoring Committee (CSC), led by TalentCorp and the Institute of Labour Market Information and Analysis (ILMIA) under the Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR), the COL was developed based on recommended international practices. Its compilation process is based on regular consultations with the World Bank.

An evidence-based list of occupations in Malaysia that reflects the most sought-after and hard-to-fill occupations by industry, the COL report identifies skills imbalances across key sectors of the Malaysian economy for the year 2017/2018.

The report covers 18 economic sectors and one of the sectors in demand in Malaysia is Information and Communication. The Critical Occupations List (COL) shows occupations that are skilled, sought-after and strategic in Malaysia. Out of the Top 58 Jobs listed in the Critical Occupations List (COL), 11 jobs in demand in Malaysia are related to information technology (IT). The jobs coming in at their rank in the list are:

11. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Manager (1511)