The Future of Social Science and Engineering Education in Malaysia

This study aims to examine the current state and future potential of social science education in relation to engineering education in Malaysian higher education institutions. In recent decades, the higher education system in Malaysia has experienced substantial changes, motivated by the country's desire to transition into a knowledge-based economy. Subsequently, Malaysia's higher education policy has placed growing importance on engineering programs. Nevertheless, the advancement of the social sciences has encountered difficulties in keeping up with the emphasis on technical and practical fields. The transition towards a higher education system that focuses more on practical skills and job preparation has raised concerns about the potential neglect of general education, particularly the social sciences. The author performs a summative content analysis on printed publications that discuss the progress and difficulties faced by both the social science and engineering education. She carefully selected these sources to increase awareness among the stakeholders involved in tertiary education in Malaysia. It is found that as Malaysia aims to achieve a developed nation status, there is an increasing acknowledgment of the importance of nurturing graduates who have a broad range of talents, including technical expertise, critical thinking, communication, and other soft skills.