Leading universities in social security education

KUCHING: Universities in Malaysia are being called upon to take a leading role in providing education on social security protection, especially in the context of a rapidly digitalising world.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof highlighted that Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) is currently the sole university offering education on social security protection.

“The purpose of today’s programme is to provide exposure. For instance, I was informed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed that UUM is the only university providing education on social security protection.

“So, this is something that we need to implement at the university level so that we will have skilled workers who can anticipate the future and effectively tackle the challenges or threats arising in the rapidly evolving technological landscape,” he stated.

He made these remarks while speaking to reporters after inaugurating the opening of the Social Security Management International Conference 2024 (SSMiC 2024) at Riverside Majestic Hotel on Thursday.

Furthermore, he emphasized that the government encourages other universities to offer specific specializations to nurture experts in particular fields.

“At the government level, we advocate for this. For instance, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) focuses on AI, among many others. We promote specialisation; not every university needs to offer identical courses. Instead, universities can focus on specific specializations to produce experts in distinct fields,” he explained.

During his speech at the conference, Fadillah stressed that the theme, “Social Security in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” is pertinent as global communities continually reshape the landscape of work and economic activities, potentially impacting the sustainability of social security systems.

“Hence, policymakers must contemplate adapting social security funding and structures to accommodate changes in the workforce and economic environment driven by AI.

“This involves exploring opportunities to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of our social security systems through innovation and investments,” he elaborated.

Fadillah also acknowledged that AI holds significant promise and the potential to streamline operations, enhancing service efficiency and responsiveness.

“From improving the accuracy of benefits distribution to bolstering fraud detection and administrative efficiency, AI can revolutionize how we deliver social security, thereby enhancing our quality of life.

“By leveraging these technologies, we strive to offer enhanced support and security for all, ensuring that our social security systems are contemporary and inclusive,” Fadillah concluded.