Are there jobs for biotechnology degree graduates in Malaysia

Job Demand for Biotechnology Graduates in Malaysia

Biotechnology has been identified as an integral part of Malaysia’s plan to accelerate the nation’s transformation into an innovation-driven, knowledge-based economy. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) is working to make Malaysia a high-income, sustainable, and inclusive country by 2030 through innovation and the use of biotechnology on a commercial scale.

MOSTI believes that Malaysia can increase economic growth through the efficient use of biomass. According to data from the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation, the stimulated annual growth of 15% is projected to increase from RM149.1 billion in 2020 to RM181.2 billion in 2030. It is estimated that Malaysia produces 168 million tonnes of biomass every year. These include rice husk, logs, coconut oil and palm waste. These sustainable resources can be converted into new bio-based products including bioenergy, bio-fertilizers and biomaterials.

The global biotechnology market was estimated at $1.37 trillion in 2022, with an expected compound annual growth rate of 13.96% between 2023 and 2030. As the industry continues to evolve at an unprecedented rate, talent acquisition professionals within the life science industry face unique challenges when it comes to attracting and retaining the top talent needed to propel this growth. The market is driven by favourable government initiatives owing to the growth of the biotechnology sector in developing countries.

Government initiatives are oriented towards modernizing the drug regulatory pathway, standardizing clinical studies, improving reimbursement policies, and speeding up the product approval process, thereby offering lucrative growth opportunities to the market.

Around 4 out of every 10 drugs are biotech derived, which can be attributed to the growing demand for orphan drugs and personalised medicine. This is driving the influx of emerging and innovative biotechnologies companies, further boosting the market revenue.

The COVID-19 pandemic is also a positive catalyst to market growth. Biotech companies are the frontrunners in the development of drugs targeting COVID-19. In addition, expanding the involvement of the biotechnology industry with diagnostic companies, drug manufacturers, research laboratories, and multinational pharmaceutical companies for developing therapeutic molecules to target COVID-19 is contributing to the market growth.

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Talent Demand and Opportunities for Biotechnology Graduates in Malaysia

The National Biotechnology Policy (DBN) 2.0, launched in 2022, will steer industry in Malaysia to achieve high-technology nation status by 2030. The policy would focus on agriculture and food security, healthcare and wellbeing, as well as industrial and circular economy.

• 490+
  BioNexus & BBA companies
• RM 8.44 bil
  cumulative approved investment
• RM9.2 bil
  realised investment

In line with the focus on agriculture biotechnology and food security, the government will step up efforts in sustainable usage of the local natural resources for agriculture input, livestock and marine produce, as well as high-value aquaculture.

In addition, the policy would strengthen the existing biotech ecosystem and be the catalyst in addressing the country’s challenges related to food security, pandemic management and climate change crisis through local biotech solutions. DBN 2.0 outlined five main targets, namely:

1. having 30 per cent of Bionexus companies penetrate global market and 70 per cent domestically;
2. supporting Bionexus companies with potential to achieve unicorn status with three companies to achieve it by 2030;
3. empowering institutes and institutions, as well as local researchers to become world-class;
4. reaching five per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product from biotech companies;
5. having 80 per cent of biotech graduates recognised through micro accreditation programmes and 20 per cent in post-degree programmes.

Biotechnology is spreading its wings into many areas of human endeavour. Vaccine development is what many have become familiar with because of the pandemic. There are many other areas such as food production, sustainable manufacturing, agriculture and even the circular economy that the world is now discussing. Energy biotechnology is also a hot research topic with the rise in interest in renewable energy, not to mention the world’s increasing engagement on the issues of waste and the environment. The topics of hydrogen, biomass and the blue economy under the 12th Malaysia Plan also involve much biotechnology.

What is Bioeconomy?

Refers to all economic activity that is derived from the continued commercial application of biotechnology.
Encompasses the production of renewable biological resources and their conversion into food, feed, chemicals, energy and healthcare wellness products via innovative and efficient technologies.

The vast socio-economic potential offered by bioeconomy has spurred countries such as United States, EU Countries, South Africa, China, Australia, Canada, Finland and Russia to launch bioeconomy initiatives.
Malaysia is the 2nd in Asia after China and the 1st in ASEAN to establish its own national bioeconomy initiative.

Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation

Bioeconomy, the commercialisation of biotechnology, contributed to 11.3pc of the total GDP in 2015, equivalent to RM 131 billion. It is projected to grow 15 per cent annually, reaching RM 181.2 billion in 2030.

Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation is tasked to spearhead this sector. With an initiative known as the Bioeconomy Transformation Programme (BTP), 48 Trigger Projects are expected to generate a gross national income (GNI) of RM 5.97 billion in 2020, providing over 25,000 employment opportunities and acquire cumulative investments of RM 18.21 billion.

The development of STEM talent accorded with these efforts. After the implementation of NBP, institutions have produced more than 4 000 graduates in various biotechnology specialisations, namely molecular biology, plant biotechnology, bioprocess engineering and bioinformatics.

The Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation) is set to launch the BioAgrotech & BioPharmaceutical Employability and Entrepreneurship Specialised Training programme (BeST 2.0) in January 2024, extending its footprint to Sabah and Sarawak. Recognizing the escalating demand for skilled talent in the biotechnology and bio-based industries in these regions, this strategic expansion aims to foster local expertise and propel sustained growth in Malaysia’s biotechnology sector.

BeST 2.0, initiated in 2021, focuses on enhancing graduates’ employability by providing hands-on industry experience. The program, under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan and supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), adopts a “place-train-hire” approach, ensuring job placements for graduates in host companies after completion.

Malaysia also remains a great destination for foreign expansion and manufacturing activities, as operation costs are competitive, and the government incentives offered are largely considerable.

These are the foreign bioeconomy companies with businesses in Malaysia to date:

• Mitsui, Japan
• Verdezyne and Glycos, USA
• Arkema and Metabolic Explorer, France
• CJ Bio, South Korea
• AJ Pharma, Saudi Arabia
• Biocon, India

What Areas can Biotechnology Graduates work in Malaysia?

Malaysia’s biotechnology graduates can work in 6 broad areas which are:

1. Research and Development: Research and development is one of the most in-demand careers in biotech. This field involves working in labs and using cutting-edge technology and techniques to discover new drugs and therapies. Professionals in research and development typically have a strong background in science, with a focus on biology, chemistry or related field, and have an interest in research.
2. Regulatory Affairs: Regulatory affairs is another in-demand career in biotech. This field involves working with government agencies to ensure that biotech products are safe, effective, and comply with all regulations. Professionals in regulatory affairs typically have a background in science, with a focus on biology, chemistry or related field, and have an understanding of regulations and laws that govern the biotech industry.
3. Business Development: Business development is a hot career in biotech as it involves identifying and developing new business opportunities for biotech companies. Business development professionals typically have a solid understanding of the biotech industry, as well as strong business acumen and the ability to think strategically.
4. Data Science and Bioinformatics: Data science and bioinformatics are becoming increasingly important in biotech as the industry generates and uses large amounts of data. Professionals in data science and bioinformatics typically have a background in computer science, mathematics, statistics, or biology and have experience in data analysis, machine learning and data visualization.
5. Quality Control and Quality Assurance: Quality control and quality assurance are in-demand careers in biotech as they are responsible for ensuring that biotech products meet the highest standards of quality and safety. Professionals in this field typically have a background in science, with a focus on biology, chemistry or related field and an attention to detail.
6. Biotech Entrepreneurship: Biotech entrepreneurship is a hot career option for those who are interested in starting their own biotech companies. Professionals in biotech entrepreneurship typically have a strong understanding of the biotech industry, as well as experience in business management, finance, and marketing.

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