A secure future: Prof Asma says the next generation must be nurtured from young because the sciences are an important component of the economy. — File photo MALAYSIA must start nurturing the next generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals from young because the sciences are an important component of the economy. Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) president Prof Datuk Dr Asma Ismail (pic) said Covid-19 is proof that individuals and industries in the sciences are spared the negative economic repercussions resulting from the pandemic. “Businesses in general are impacted but corporations that have science, technology and innovation as their foundations are shielded, with some actually recording a growth.