Aim to churn out 60,000 PhD holders by 2023 by Higher Education Ministry remains

The Higher Education Ministry is committed towards its goal in producing 60,000 doctorate holders by 2023 to produce a more highly-educated peoples and ensure that the nation's need for research and innovation is met.

Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said there are currently 23,000 PhD degree holders.

“As of Sept 30, a total of 54,035 students had been provided scholarships under the MyBrain15 initiative, at a cost of RM800.2 million. The scholarships will continue to be given out and under the 11th Malaysia Plan, RM500 million had been allocated for the purpose,” he said.

He noted that PhD degree sponsorship programmes are also offered by the Public Service Department (JPA), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi), Education Ministry, Health Ministry and Khazanah Nasional Bhd (Khazanah).