The biological sciences industry is increasing in Malaysia. Still, there seems to be a need for more understanding among young students and their families regarding the diverse career paths that exist in the field. Some are concerned that there will be limited job opportunities for biological sciences graduates, but in reality, there is a wide range of career options available. These can range from sales and research and development to education and communication, covering various subfields in the medical sciences, agriculture, life sciences, and conservation science.

The Malaysian government has been committed to promoting the development of the biotechnology and life sciences industry since the mid-1990s by funding research and development, attracting foreign investment, and encouraging bio-entrepreneurship among local scientists. This has led to a strong presence of multinationals, such as pharmaceutical companies, medical device developers, clinical trial organizations, and diagnostic product manufacturers in the country. 

There are numerous home-grown enterprises, including research centres, biotechnology startups, digital healthcare platforms, and local pharmaceutical companies. With the increasing accessibility of DNA sequencing technology, there is a growing market for personalized genomics and microbiome testing.

However, despite the wide range of career paths available, the public perception of biological sciences graduates is often limited to hospital laboratory work. In reality, graduates are making their way up the corporate ladder in the pharmaceutical or insurance industries, formulating products, and bringing a much-needed focus to Asian populations in health and medical research. With the increasing amount of generated genomics data, many graduates are also analyzing this data.

The disconnect between public perception and the true nature of the industry is due to a need for more communication and visibility of biological sciences companies. These companies need to become household names to help young students and their families understand the vast opportunities available in the field. It is crucial that the next generation of brilliant Malaysian scientists is not lost due to misunderstandings about the industry.

Associate Professor Dr Felicia Chung Fei Lei
School of Medical and Life Sciences
Email: @email

This article was first published in Business Today, 16 October 2022.