Why Malaysia must be more Innovative?

Our Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said that the next driver for the Malaysian economy will be innovation

An innovation-driven economy will enable the nation to further develop its science and technology sector. making it a force to be reckoned with globally.

This needs to happen if the country aspires to surge ahead of countries already famous for their science and technology prowess, like South Korea and Japan.

Another crucial factor to achieving such prowess is to stem or reverse Malaysia’s brain drain – its loss of expertise to other nations.

A fledgling innovation economy in the country would open up opportunities for local talents, thus reducing the brain-drain problem.

However,our ministry is also reaching out to talented Malaysian overseas to encourage them to share their knowledge and expertise with their counterparts in the science and technology sector at home.

Certain research areas, such as aerospace, cyber security and nuclear power, could do with contributions from our talented scientists residing overseas.

We want them to know that there are opportunities here for them to play a vital part in.Tweaks The ministry has modified its brain-gain programmed to make it more appealing to Malaysian experts working overseas. Besides offering better monetary rewards, it is also leveraging on social capital to woo these people to work for the country.

Many of them have built lives overseas and it would be unfair to expect them to uproot themselves and come home.

Instead, the ministry is coaxing these experts to team up with scientists in Malaysia, in order to effect a transfer of knowledge.

According to Ongkili, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry will be consulted for more opinions on how the brain-gain programmed can be improved.

 Keeps in touch with Malaysian embassies around the world, which helps it identify potential Malaysians who can contribute to the science and technology sector.

As an added measure to encourage innovative thinking among Malaysians, the ministry will be rolling out the National Innovation Foundation soon, and has declared 2010 as the year of creativity and innovation.

These measures, will provide a platform for any Malaysian to present ideas.

Malaysia is a creative lot and can move forward to seeing what comes up.