Kawabanga,
While your comments sounds positive and good, but it is merely theoretical and does not apply in Malaysia. Sure if you are working in SIngapore or other country which have a higher research profile. Companies in Malaysia usually focus on sales for their products and research are carried out in other countries. Our research industry is usually done in the government sector or Universities which do not pay much. For lecturer, I think they need phd as a lecturer now. Few months ago when I checked they still recruit masters but in later years I dont think it will be so. Are you doing lifesciences as well? We can exchange opinion
cookie,
For academic positions, it differs when you're talking about Private and Public. For public yes, 90% and above of lecturer positions now requires minimum PhD.
For most private colleges/universities, you are allowed to teach pre-university courses, foundation programs and some diploma subjects if you can prove yourself with a Bacelor's degree.
With a master's degree you can go for tertiary level teaching, and will be qualified to take up administrative positions such as deputy programme director, course development manager etc.
Reason being in public Uni, research is a must, academic and new discoveries come first. Whereas in private, not so much. Research is 'encouraged' usually. Hence PhD isn't as critical, unless you wish to go up to the top (head of programme etc). But i expect the industry to be more competitive over time.
For non-academic, especially for Sales, Business Development, Marketing, whatever you call them, it doesn't matter to them. They don't care, as long as you bring in the business. Hence degree and master's qualification doesn't bring much difference, people who join this part of the world should be well aware. Unless the sales job requires a lot of technical knowledge which can only be aquired via a higher degree like MSc., then perhaps it'll be different. If not, a degree holder is as competent as a master's holder.
There are degree holders who work side by side with a master's holder, and earning more pay. And of course the cliche that many successful busines owners don't even have a college degree.
Bottomline, your degree cannot choose your job or career for you. If you want a job that matches your degree, be it BSc, MSc or PhD, you have to hunt for one.
So like kawabanga said, it all depends on what you want to do. Knowing your own capabilities, potential and goals will open up unlimited opportunities. Whereas living blur won't take a person far, even if he/she owns a Post-Doctoral degree.
Pilarika,
Thanks for the new info.
Seems like different policies adopted by different embassies will affect the final outcome.
This forum is really useful in gathering all the bits and pieces from all over the world and paint a clearer picture of how this whole MEXT scholarship is done.