SHAH ALAM, Feb 12 — The state government is introducing a Talent Return Internship Programme to strengthen ties with Malaysians studying abroad and support industrial upgrading.
State executive councillor for investment, trade, and mobility Ng Sze Han said the state will work with university alumni associations in various countries to recruit Malaysian students overseas to return home for internships in state departments and government-linked companies (GLCs), thereby building a stronger talent pipeline for the future.
During his meetings with Malaysians abroad on his overseas visits, he observed that many had a limited understanding of government policies and the country’s future development direction, and were becoming increasingly disconnected from domestic affairs.
“That is why we are introducing this internship programme. It allows students in their second or third year of university to return during their semester break for a two-month internship at state government agencies or subsidiaries, with a monthly allowance of RM1,500,” Ng said during a recent Chinese New Year media interview.
Selangor will work with university alumni associations, especially those of top universities in China, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Beijing Normal University.
The programme is expected to recruit 50 to 60 students, who will be placed in different departments according to their fields of study and professional backgrounds.
“At present, we have already engaged with the Peking University Malaysia Alumni Association to arrange for Malaysian students studying in China to return for internships.
“They will be assigned to departments based on their academic backgrounds, so they can gain a more comprehensive understanding of how the state government operates and its policy direction, and better plan their future,” he said.
Sustainable talent return
Ng added that the focus should not just be on brain drain, but on building talent linkages, encouraging talent circulation, and strengthening training systems to enable a more sustainable form of “talent return”.
Many Malaysians who have spent years building their careers overseas are already well established, and it would be unrealistic and unfair to expect them to give up what they have achieved and return home permanently.
“Therefore, we should make better use of their professional skills and international networks, and think about how to connect them with Malaysia and the government ecosystem, so that markets and technology can flow back together.
“At the same time, we can leverage their networks to open up broader international markets,” he said.
The councillor noted that even if talent chooses to return to Malaysia to join the state’s internship programme, it does not mean they must remain in the country permanently.
“For example, the ‘father of the thumb drive’, Pua Khein Seng, maintains close ties with Malaysia but continues to operate globally.
“We should therefore make good use of such talent networks and resources to create more opportunities for cooperation and development for Malaysia,” Ng said.
Meanwhile, 20 to 30 senior officers (Grade 2 and above) will be sent to the China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing this year for short-term training to better understand China’s development trends and acquire modern management and international best practices.
