GEORGE TOWN: The state government will set up the Penang Science Council (PSC) in collaboration with multi-national corporations (MNCs) in the state to inculcate interest in science and engineering among secondary school students.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the PSC, to be chaired by him, would help grow the next generation of much needed human talent especially scientists for Penang.

He said the PSC would also include university students. Lim said the idea had been well received by the MNCs and also those he visited in the US.

He said many companies were keen to work with the state government in setting up the PSC as it would also benefit them with a ready pool of highly skilled human resources in the future.

"We have to generate interest and get them when they are young, especially when they are in secondary school as the common perception among most students is that science and engineering are difficult disciplines.

"It is pointless if we have the "hardware" in the form of the best facilities and high technology equipment but we do not have the "software" to meet our needs.

"We need to double our talent pool, only then will the high technology industries be willing to venture into Penang. We must have a holistic and vertically integrated approach to lure the future generations to be interested in these disciplines," Lim said after launching the Penang Cluster Alliance's (PCA) Enterprise Lab at the Mayang Mall.

The PCA is a collaboration between the Bumiputera ICT cluster, Software Consortium of Penang, Penang Radio Frequency Cluster, Penang Automation Cluster and Persatuan Usahawan ICT Pulau Penang.

The enterprise lab managed by the PCA is to create an incubation model to nurture start-ups and Penang ICT companies, enhance Penang-based ICT companies startup success rate and to create market opportunities beyond Penang for local ICT companies.

Lim said the state government was willing to work closely with the education ministry towards creating a pool of budding scientists among the younger generation.

"I believe that the ministry would also be keen to work with us and support this effort. Otherwise, we we are only imposing straight jackets on ourselves and being blind.

"The reason why many of our young talents go overseas is due the higher salaries being offered compared to Malaysia. The glass ceiling of being promoted based on political cables and not based on talents must also be removed as it will deter those who want to stay and work here," he added.