ABSTRACT: To advance Malaysia into the forefront of knowledge, investment in human capital is critical, as the K-economy demands creative, innovative, and knowledge human resources. Malaysians demand a better work-life balance and opportunities for career enhancement, social mobility, and self-development. In addition, Malaysia needs to enhance its social capital and community capacity by reinforcing social cohesion and reducing social exclusion. Thus, the purpose of this article is to review critical elements that are needed to transform Malaysia into Knowledge-based society. Promoting and upholding the universal values of multiculturalism, human rights, and zero tolerance to corruption in public and private sectors is absolutely crucial. This is a first step toward achieving true liberty and democracy that may spur an environment suitable for innovative culture to flourish. To support K-economy, schools and universities should be equipped with broadband and seamless internet connection. To date, however, most rural schools in Malaysia have problem with the Internet access. Innovation in pedagogies and curriculum development is required in order to assist teachers in schools to make significant improvements. There are complains about the lack of high-order thinking, English proficiency, cross disciplinary skills, and critical and problem-solving skills among teachers and students. For the innovation culture to flourish, granting flexibility and autonomy is a way of moving forward. In sum, Malaysia needs a strong framework or a roadmap for producing adequate number of world renowned scientists and scholars in order to sustain the knowledge economy.

KEY WORDS: K-economy, higher skilled and innovative workforce, education and social systems, transformative and innovative leadership, and Malaysians.

About the Author: Prof. Dr. Ramlee Mustapha is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education UPSI (Sultan Idris University of Education), Tanjong Malim, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia. The author can be reached at: drramlee@yahoo.com

How to cite this article? Mustapha, Ramlee. (2013). “Transforming Education toward K-Economy in Malaysia” in EDUCARE: International Journal for Educational Studies, Vol.6(1) August, pp.1-16. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Press owned by ASPENSI in Bandung, West Java; and FKIP UMP in Purwokerto, Central Java, ISSN 1979-7877.

Chronicle of the article: Accepted (June 1, 2013); Revised (July 5, 2013); and Published (August 17, 2013).

Albrow, M. (1990). Introduction: Globalization, Knowledge, and Society. London: Sage.

Arifin, Z. (2012). “The Art of Courting Talent” in New Sunday Times. Kuala Lumpur: 23 January, p.20.

Azman, N. & Ahmad, A.R. (2006). “History, Trends, and Significant Development of Adult Education in Malaysia” in HISTORIA: Journal of Historical Studies, Vol.VII/2, pp.66-82.

Becker, G.S. (1964). Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis with Special Reference to Education. New York: Columbia University Press.

Bendahara, A. (2012). “Emphasis on Vocational Studies” in New Straits Times. Kuala Lumpur: 7 January, p.4.

Bennis, W. & J. Goldsmith. (1997). Learning to Lead. Cambridge, MA: Perseus Books.

Bernama [News Agent of Malaysia]. Available at: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/01/03/2011-the-year-of-success-for-information-technology-sector/ [accessed in Tanjong Malim, Malaysia: 3 January 2012].

Chia, W.M. & M. Li. (2011). “Malaysia” in M.J. Montesano & P.O. Lee [eds]. Regional Outlook: Southeast Asia, 2011-2012. Singapore: ISEAS [Institute of South East Asian Studies].

Drucker, P. (1990). The New Realities. London: Mandarin.

Drucker, P. (1993). Post Capitalist Society. New York: Harper Row.

EPU [Economic Planning Unit]. (2006). The Ninth Malaysia Plan, 2006 — 2010. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Economic Planning Unit.

Finch, C. (1993). “The High Performance Workplace and the Evolving Nature of Vocational Education Research” in Journal of Vocational Education Research, 18(2), pp.1-19.

Fisk, P. (2011). Creative Genius: An Innovation Guide for Business Leaders, Border Crossers, and Came Changers. North Mankato, MN: Capstone.

Govindan, K. (2000). “Globalization, K-Economy, and the Virtual State”. Paper presented at the 12th National Real Estate Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 31st October — 1st November.

Hamid, H. (2012). “Policies Not Attracting Women” in New Straits Times (Business Times). Kuala Lumpur: 3 January, p.4.

Harbison, F. (1974). Human Resources as the Wealth of Nations. New York: Oxford University Press.

http://etp.pemandu.gov.my/High_Income_Economy_-@-About_The_GNI.aspx [accessed in Tanjong Malim, Malaysia: 9 October 2012].

http://thinkexist.com/quotes/steve_jobs/ [accessed in Tanjong Malim, Malaysia: 15 April 2013].

http://www.mohe.gov.my/akept/about_2.html [accessed in Tanjong Malim, Malaysia: 25 April 2013].

http://www.pagemalaysia.org/news.php?readmore=410 [accessed in Tanjong Malim, Malaysia: 2 June 2012].

http://www.slideshare.net/annesunita [accessed in Tanjong Malim, Malaysia: 20 May 2013].

http://www.traveldocs.com/my/economy.htm [accessed in Tanjong Malim, Malaysia: 9 October 2012].

http://www.unesco.org/webworld/infoethics [accessed in Tanjong Malim, Malaysia: 15 April 2013].

Jarjis, J. (2006). “Transformation into a Knowledge-Based Economy: Malaysian Experience”. A Speech by Malaysia Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Helsinki, Finland.

Jomo, K.S. (1993). Industrialising Malaysia: Policy, Performance, Prospects. London: Routledge.

Kandasamy, D. (2010). “PM: Innovation is Key to Propel Malaysia Forward” in The Malay Mail. Kuala Lumpur: 20 July.

Khalil, M.A. & S. Olafsen. (2010). The Global Opportunity in IT-Based Services: Assessing and Enhancing Country Competitiveness. Washington, DC: The World Bank.

Khonder, H. (1997). “Globalization Theory: A Critical Appraisal” in H.M. Dahlan et al. [eds]. ASEAN in the Global System. Bangi, Malaysia: Penerbit UKM [Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia].

Khor, M. (2012). “Year of Full-Fledge Crises?” in The Star, 2 January, p.25.

Kok, C. (2011). “Crunch Time for Eurozone” in Starbiz, 7 December, p.3.

Labaree, D.F. (1997). “Public Goods, Private Goods: The American Struggle Over Educational Goals” in American Educational Research Journal, 34(1), pp.39-81.

Landes, D. (1998). The Wealth and Poverty of Nations. Oxford: Pergamon.

Loh, J. (2011). “Asian Wealth to Triple by 2015” in StarBizWeek. Kuala Lumpur: 17 September, p.10.

MG [Malaysian Government]. (2008). The National Action Plan for Employment in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian government.

Min, W. (1995). “Vocational Education and Productivity” in M. Carnoy [ed]. International Encyclopedia of Economics of Education. Oxford: Pergamon.

Mohamad, Mahathir. (1991). Malaysia: The Way Forward. Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Department.

Moller, J.O. (2011). How Asia Can Shape the World? From the Era of Plenty to the Era of Scarcities. Singapore: ISEAS [Institute of South East Asian Studies].

Musa, M.B. (2003). An Education System Worthy of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Writers Club Press.

Mustapha, R. (2000). “Pengintegrasian Akademik dan Vokasional: Cabaran Pendidikan Alaf Baru” in Jurnal Teknologi, 32(E), pp.11-22.

Mustapha, R. & A. Abdullah. (2004). “Malaysia Transition toward Knowledge-Based Economy” in Journal of Technological Studies, 1(1).

Mustapha, Ramlee et al. (2008). “K-Economy and Globalization: Are Our Students Ready?” in Jurnal Personalia Pelajar, 11, pp.1-23.

Mustapha, R. & N. Mohd Salleh. (2007). “Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and Digital Divide Revisited: Vocational and IT Competencies of Special Needs Population in Malaysia” in Malaysian Journal of Social Work, 6(1), pp.33-65.

Nawawi, M.K. (2011). “Where Has Malaysians’ Talent Gone?”. Paper presented at Asian World Summit at Royal Chulan Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 13-14 September.

OECD [Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development]. (1998). University Research in Transition. Paris: OECD.

OECD [Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development]. (2011). Higher Education in Regional and City Development: State of Penang. Pulau Penang: OECD Publication.

Ohmae, K. (2000). The Invisible Continent. London: Nicholas Brealey.

Pandiyan, M.V. (2012). “Jobs, Innovation, and Taxes” in The Star. Kuala Lumpur: 13 October, p.35.

Quah, Chun Hoo et al. (2009). “Employers’ Preference for Foreign Trained Graduates: Myth or Reality?” in European Journal of Scientific Research, 34(3), pp.372-383.

Raslan, K. (2011). “The Decline of the West” in The Star, No.33. Kuala Lumpur: 4 October.

Reynolds, P. et al. (2002). Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. London: Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Robertson, R. (1992). Globalization: Social Theory and Global Culture. London: Sage.

Romer, P. (1986). “Increasing Returns and Long Run Growth” in Journal of Political Economy, 94, pp.1002-1037.

Say, T.L. (2012). “RM 60 M Training Contract” in StarBiz. Kuala Lumpur: 4 January, p.2.

Schultz, T.W. (1961). “Investment in Human Capital” in American Economic Review, 51, pp.1-16.

Schumpeter, J. (1911/1934). The Theory of Economic Development. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Sheng, A. (2011). “The Millennium Generation and the Challenge for Social Stability” in StarBizWeek. Kuala Lumpur: 17th September, p.3.

Tennant, M. & R. Morris. (2001). “Adult Education in Australia: Shifting Identities, 1980-2000” in International Journal of Lifelong Learning, Vol.20/2, pp.44-54.

Valery, N. (1999). “Survey of Innovation in Industry: Industry Gets Religion” in The Economist. Kuala Lumpur: 20 February.

Wain, B. (2011). “Malaysia” in M.J. Montesano & P.O. Lee [eds]. Regional Outlook: Southeast Asia, 2011-2012. Singapore: ISEAS [Institute of South East Asian Studies].

WEF [World Economic Forum]. (2011). The Global Competitive Report, 2011-2012. Geneva: World Economic Forum.

WIPI [World Intellectual Property Indicator]. (2010). Global R&D Funding Forecast. Washington, DC: The World Bank.

World Bank. (2009). Malaysia Productivity and Investment Climate: Assessment Update. Washington, DC: The World Bank, Report No.49137-MY.

World Bank. (2010). The Little Data Book on ICT 2010. Washington, DC: The World Bank.

Yap, B. (2011). “Big Breaks for Education Sector” in Business Times. Kuala Lumpur: 10 October, p.4.

Yusof, Z.A. & D. Bhattasali. (2008). Economic Growth and Development in Malaysia: Policy Making and Leadership. Washington, DC: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.