SINTOK: Graduates of higher learning institutions should brace for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industrial 4.0) as the job market will largely involve robotics and automation technology, the Sultan of Kedah said.
Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah said the challenges required all quarters to adopt an open mind on the changes and advances brought by the rapid development in technology.
However, the sultan reminded the graduates to embrace the changes based on religious values.
"Perhaps, many are still not aware about the Fourth Industrial Revolution which has been a focus of the government.
"Although the Fourth Industrial Revolution will generally make our life easier, the people have to brace the fact that their life and work will be heavily influenced by with robotics and automation advancement," he said when opening the 30th Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) convocation ceremony here today.
Sultan Sallehuddin, who is also UUM chancellor, said the Industrial 4.0 was pushing for the current education system to be revamped in line with the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) agenda.
"The Higher Education Ministry is working on a policy to enhance Malaysia competitiveness and as a hub for Industrial 4.0 in Southeast Asia.
"To achieve this, we need a huge budget for investments in research and development through collaboration between the university and industry.
"I have faith in UUM to play an important role to achieve this dream," he said.