KUALA TERENGGANU: A Malaysian could become a Nobel Prize laureate by 2020, Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said yesterday.

He said the candidate would most likely be a Mara Junior Science College student.

He said the college could achieve this distinction by doubling its participation in international science-related events such as the International Robotic Olympiad, held at the International Islamic University Malaysia recently.

Saifuddin added the ministry would introduce twinning programmes with renowned foreign secondary schools this year.

The college will also place high achievers in top science universities, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, McGill University in Canada and University of Tokyo in Japan.

"The college will also organise more debates to nurture critical thinking among students, a quality which is vital for producing a scientist.

"The college has a remarkable history in terms of education and it is time to embark on a quantum leap into the future.

"The decision is also inspired by the Angkasawan programme," he said after visiting the college.

Saifuddin said the performance of Mara college students in Mathematics and Science in the recent Penilaian Menengah Rendah had been encouraging. -The New Straits Times/Asia News Network