KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — Malaysia has made much progress in the field of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in the last few decades. Science Outlook, a flagship study of the Academy of Sciences (ASM), provides insights into Malaysia’s STI landscape.
As a nation, Malaysia is committed to becoming an advanced economy by strengthening knowledge-based development and innovation capability in all sectors.
Science Outlook evaluates and provides evidence-based insights into Malaysia’s STI landscape. The findings and recommendations in its biennial report is highly regarded at national and international levels, informing policymakers on strategic alignments of STI policy frameworks and the nation’s socioeconomic priorities.
Science Outlook 2020, which has the theme “Unlocking the Future”, may only be the third edition of this flagship report, but it has emerged as a trailblazer document on many fronts.
This is the first Science Outlook report that has adopted an ecosystem approach to track Malaysia’s progress over the last 30 years in terms of economic development, societal well-being, as well as environmental conservation and sustainability through the STI lens.
It is also the first report to evaluate the challenges outlined in Vision 2020 from the STI perspective — for Malaysia to become a socially cohesive and developed country, as well as chart the STI progress and development in the country since Vision 2020 was launched.
“Malaysia must adopt a whole-of-government approach towards developing collaborative strategies for knowledge-intensive, innovation-led outcomes to build a harmonious, prosperous, progressive and sustainable Malaysia. Strategies to achieve this are presented in Science Outlook 2020,” said science, technology and innovation minister Dr Adham Baba.
“The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s (MOSTI) current efforts reflect this approach. Through partnerships with its agencies, MOSTI is developing roadmaps in strategic sectors including vaccine development, robotics, commercialisation, hydrogen economy and start-ups,” Dr Adham added.
“MOSTI is also focusing on strengthening Malaysia’s start-up ecosystem by working closely with relevant entities through the MyStartup Roadmap, which will be launched soon with the hope of developing more indigenous technology and nurturing brilliant world-class technopreneurs towards becoming a competitive Start-Up Nation,” he explained.
“In tandem with this, emphasis to talent development and enculturation of STI will further be augmented. This is important for a holistic approach in mobilising STI for socioeconomic development which is envisaged in the recently unveiled 12th Malaysian Plan.”
Malaysia’s economic development has undoubtedly been accelerated by the nation’s growing STI proficiency. Hence, the National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation (NPSTI) 2021-2030 along with the strategic framework of 10-10 Malaysia Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (10-10 MySTIE) will strategically position Malaysia to harness STI for new wealth creation and ensuring societal well-being while meeting our sustainable development agenda.
This process will be inclusive, and through continuous efforts to mainstream STI with the assistance of all stakeholders, these efforts will complement the national development agenda in the context of Keluarga Malaysia (the Malaysian family).
