Kuala lumpur: Bioeconomy Corporation Sdn Bhd has unveiled an ambitious plan to train at least 1,000 graduates over the next five years through its BioAgrotech and BioPharmaceutical Employability and Entrepreneurship Specialised Training Programme (BeST) 2.0. This initiative is aimed at cultivating talent in the fields of biotechnology and emerging technologies.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chairman Datuk Dr Lee Boon Chye emphasized that the target could potentially increase with additional funding, driven by strong interest from both graduates and industry stakeholders. The BeST 2.0 programme provides participants with training and placements in biotechnology companies, with some even launching their own startups. Dr Lee highlighted the significance of a skilled workforce in enhancing national productivity.
Dr Lee also mentioned the programme's expansion into new technology subsectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and green energy. He noted that these areas offer broader opportunities for graduates and hold significant potential for future applications, particularly in agriculture and healthcare.
Since its inception in 2021, BeST 2.0 has already trained 561 graduates, surpassing its target under the 12th Malaysia Plan of training 400 individuals. Impressively, 91 percent of these graduates secured placements in 92 biotechnology and bio-based companies, with over 200 firms registered as hosts offering 1,900 job opportunities.
Dr Lee highlighted success stories including nine startups in contract farming, which could potentially boost rural incomes through the application of modern technology. He further shared that to date, 624 BioNexus-status, Bio-Based Accelerator (BBA), and high-impact companies have collectively secured over RM14 billion in approved investments, significantly contributing RM39 billion to Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP).
The BBA, an accelerator programme by Bioeconomy Corporation, supports bio-based startups in enhancing competitiveness and driving innovation within the biotechnology and bio-based value chains. Under the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0, the government aims for the biotechnology sector to contribute up to 5 percent to GDP in the medium term.
Established in 2005, Bioeconomy Corporation serves as Malaysia's leading economic development agency for the biotechnology and bio-based industries, operating under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.