Life sciences
Life sciences involves the study of living organisms, their organization, life processes, and relationships between each other and their environment. It is an immensely broad field, obviously dominated by medicine and all its related disciplines. In spite of that, the study of other life sciences has vast commercial and industrial application, and is an intensely competitive field. Opportunities for career advancement are plentiful, especially in the government-supported sector of research and development.
Besides the practice of medicine and healthcare, Malaysia’s life sciences industry consists of three major sectors: pharmaceutical, medical devices and biotechnology. The Malaysian pharmaceutical industry alone was valued at US $1.24 billion in 2009, and is expected to develop at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3% up to 2014 (Frost & Sullivan, 2009).
Biotechnology refers to the products and services derived from the utilisation of living organisms, their parts and components, or biological systems and processes. Under the 9th Malaysia Plan (2006 - 2010), efforts will be increased in order to develop the biotechnology industry, and focus will be given to the use of biotechnology in agriculture, health care, industrial activities and bio-informatics.
The pharmaceutical industry develops and manufactures drugs used for medicinal and palliative purposes. Malaysian pharmaceutical manufacturers are focusing on high-margin niche segments and are increasingly moving into biopharmaceuticals and branded generics in order to remain competitive. Local manufacturers have also expanded the herbal and traditional medicine industry towards large scale operations.
The usefulness of the postgraduate qualification differs from sector to sector. For example, a Master’s in biotechnology with business management would greatly improve your prospects of making the managerial leap, from research assistant to senior scientist, to project leader to director. Industry leaders have bemoaned the lack of business acumen in research-oriented scientists and are anxious to find good people to fill the gap.
On the other hand, as a physician or medical practitioner, a Master’s or PhD is as much about personal and professional development as it is about career advancement and payscale improvements. Indeed, even if entering the private sector is not on your agenda, postgraduate qualifications are necessary to constantly hone your skills and knowledge, whether as a government doctor, local health authority consultant, or even as a lecturer.
