MELAKA, July 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has a shortage of 2,000 Information Technology and Communication (ICT) professionals in the sector each year, forcing the sector to hire professionals from abroad.

Malaysian Technoprenuers Association president (TeAM) Aziz Ismail said between 1,000 to 2,000 ICT professionals are hired from countries like Singapore and Vietnam, to meet the demand each year.

"Among reasons for the situation is because local ICT graduates do not meet the requirements needed by the industry," he told reporters after the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) CEO Roundtable 2012 here meeting today.

Chief Executive Officers (CEO) from 10 industries and organisations from Malaysia, Taiwan and Singapore took part in the round table conference to exchange views on strengthening academic programmes, promoting study products and fostering the spirit of entrepreneurship among students of UTeM.

Aziz said tasks such as programming and content supply needed many experts because the progress of current technology was more prone towards software demand compared with hardware.

He said TeAM had implemented a cooperation with institutions of higher learning (IPT) in the country, including UTeM, to ensure ICT graduates produced, met the current industrial market needs and expectations.