Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Malaysia - Improving research and innovation in Malaysia


The Science Act and Science and Technology Human Capital Roadmap will be developed to improve local innovation.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said these plans would help to create a more conducive ecosystem for science and technology in Malaysia.

"In line with the Government's aim to improve the growth of internationally recognised research and innovation centres, the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NBIM) has also been set up.

"The NBIM is a cluster of research institutes that are centrally managed to ensure that research products are quick to respond to industry needs locally and globally," he said in his speech before launching the National Year of Science and Innovation Movement 2012 recently.

Muhyiddin who is also the Education Minister, said that the Government had supported local research and development through various scholarship schemes such as the National Science Fellowship.

"From 2005 till 2010, 1,938 students were sponsored under these schemes with a Government allocation of RM182.5 million (S$74.49 million).

"Additionally, under the Post-Doctoral Research Scheme, the Government has also allocated a sum of RM9.44mil for 18 public research institutes and public higher education institutes for strengthening research and development in the key areas," he said.

Muhyiddin said that some 13,213 applications for research, development and commercialisation grants worth RM7.34 billion have been received by the Government between 2008 and 2011, and RM1.59bil had been approved for 2,029 projects.

"Until now, a total of 310 products from 1,862 (16.65 per cent) research and development projects under MOSTI grants have been successfully marketed in Malaysia and overseas," he said.

Also present was Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

Priya Kulasagaran
The Star/Asia News Network

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