MyMahir Biotechies Programme To Develop Industry-Ready Talent For Biopharma Sector

PUTRAJAYA, April 30 (Bernama) -- The MyMahir by TalentCorp - BioTechies: Biopharmaceutical Series has been introduced as a strategic industry-driven initiative aimed at developing highly skilled, future- and industry-ready Malaysian professional talents for the biopharmaceutical sector.

The programme is driven by the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation), an agency under the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI), in collaboration with leading industry players to strengthen Malaysia's biotechnology talent pipeline.

The programme contributes to Malaysia's higher productivity and supports the country's ambition under the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 to achieve the five per cent gross domestic product (GDP) contribution from the biotechnology sector by 2030.

Datuk Ruziah Shafei, the Deputy Secretary-General (Planning and Science Enculturation) of MOSTI, said the global biopharmaceutical sector is rapidly expanding, driven by increasing demand for biologics, vaccines, biosimilars and advanced therapies.

She said that whlie this presents Malaysia with a strategic opportunity to participate in higher-value segments of the global biotechnology and biomanufacturing value chain, technology, investment and facilities alone are insufficient to ensure competitiveness without a skilled and industry-ready workforce.

"As the industry becomes more advanced and data-driven, our graduates and workforce must be equipped with the right technical, digital and professional capabilities. By combining the STI (science, technology and innovation) and biotechnology agenda with the workforce development, we can better align Malaysia’s talent pipeline with future industry needs," she said at the launch here today.

Meanwhile, Bioeconomy Corporation chief executive officer Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak said Malaysia produces about 10,000 life sciences graduates annually, yet about 37 per cent of tertiary-educated Malaysians are employed in jobs that do not match their qualifications.

"Through the programme, we aim to bridge this gap by increasing industry-ready talent in Malaysia while preparing them to be future-ready for the growth of the biopharmaceutical and advanced manufacturing sectors," he said.

He added that Bioeconomy Corporation will track participants to monitor employment outcomes, starting salaries or salary growth and the programme’s impact within six to 12 months after completion.

Through the place-and-train programme, 25 selected graduates from the first cohort will undergo three to four months of targeted, industry-aligned technical training and professional skills development, followed by structured on-the-job placement with host companies.

The programme equips participants with specialised technical competencies and industry-relevant skills aligned with evolving technological and market demands in the biopharmaceutical sector.

The BioTechies: The Biopharmaceutical Series is delivered through three specialised modules designed to address the industry’s value chain in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and regulatory compliance. It is led by Biocon Sdn Bhd, with Biocon Academy as the knowledge partner, together with Vellore Institute of Technology India, Biozeen India, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Thermo Fisher Scientific Singapore.

The programme also covers operational excellence for biopharmaceutical manufacturing in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and IKA Works Asia, while Info Kinetics Sdn Bhd provides training in clinical research operations and trial management.

Participants will acquire hands-on experience in real manufacturing and quality management environments, in addition to gaining exposure to international standards such as current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) requirements.

Through coordinated efforts, the programme is expected to build a strong pipeline of highly skilled, industry-ready professionals, positioning Malaysian talent to not only participate in the global biopharmaceutical industry but also to lead its advancement.

Executive Chairperson of Biocon Ltd and Chief Mentor of Biocon Academy Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said the organisation was proud to support the initiative to strengthen science talent in Malaysia.

"With over 15 years of presence in Malaysia, including Asia's largest insulin manufacturing facility, Biocon has seen firsthand the impact of investing in human capital.

"Through the initiative, we support Malaysia's emerging biotech talent, shaping careers, building industry readiness, and bridging the academia-industry divide through the Biocon Academy," she said.

-- BERNAMA