NEW YORK, May 14 (Bernama) – Renowned members of the Global Science and
Innovation Advisory Council (GSIAC), which will be set up here next week, will
provide valuable input and a fresh perspective to uplift Malaysia’s economy by
hastening innovation, leveraging on the nation''s strength in information and
communications technology and improving science and engineering education and
skills.
Ultimately, the aim is to push the envelope in innovation via Malaysia’s
economic development programs and producing tangible results that will enhance
prosperity for the country, the President of the famed New York Academy of
Sciences (NYAS), Ellis Rubinstein, told Bernama in an interview today.
GSIAC would bring together international leaders and experts from
government, industry, and academia to provide a fresh perspective on Malaysia’s
rapidly growing economy with an emphasis on implementation and tangible results.
Rubinstein, a Pulitzer prize winner in science journalism, emphasised that
the members not only have their own individual areas of expertise, they,
together with the NYAS, constitute a large, diverse network that can be
harnessed in order to connect Malaysian companies and institutions to others
abroad that can partner in key common areas of interest.
He cited how Malaysia could accelerate innovation in the palm oil industry
and its derivatives relating to biomass and biofuels as well as leverage on the
country’s prowess in ICT to resolve social, economic, and environmental
challenges through smart cities-smart village concepts.
The council could also provide the direction for Malaysia to improve science
and engineering education and skills while creating and linking university
research areas that complement the innovation needs of industry.
The GSIAC’s first council meeting would be chaired on May 17 by Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as part of his official visit to New York.
The Prime Minister has been very earnest in using innovation as a key driver
towards Malaysia meeting its aim of achieving a high income economy under the
Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).
Against such ideals, Rubinstein, who has been described as an innovator and
change agent, noted that Malaysia has an excellent reputation in the IT
industry, including in electronics manufacturing, multimedia, and programming
work, and is also known as one of the international centers of excellence in
palm oil.
Furthermore, Malaysia is increasingly building its manufacturing expertise
in the aerospace, automotive, and other industries.
"GSIAC will play a crucial role in advising and helping implement projects
that will help improve innovation and prosperity, particularly in the Palm Oil
Industry, Smart Cities-Smart Villages, and capacity building.
"It will also enable people-to-people meetings, providing real-time
technical assistance, and play a role in the design and implementation of
subsequent projects," said Rubinstein, who is also Chief Executive Officer of
the 194-year old academy.
Malaysians will benefit from these endeavors at many levels as not only does
a more innovative economy generate entrepreneurial opportunities and jobs, it
also creates prosperity and increases income levels among all segments of the
population.
A further benefit to Malaysia which he highlighted was that rising education
and skills capacity will open up increasing opportunities for those Malaysians
who are willing to take advantage of these attributes.
Rubinstein said, the endeavor is led by the Prime Minister and his advisors,
within the purview of the Malaysian government and GSIAC as an advisory body.
As a neutral, non-profit scientific organization, NYAS will play a critical
role not only in the planning of the May 17 GSIAC meeting but also in the
organization of subsequent implementation projects.
There have been many individuals involved in the creation of the GSIAC,
but foremost, it was the Prime Minister who had the vision and dedication to
create the Council to propel Malaysia forward, Rubinstein stressed.
The Prime Minister’s Science Advisor Dr. Zakri Abdul Hamid and Malaysian
Ambassador to the United States, Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis, have also been
instrumental to this end.
The Malaysian Industry Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and New York
Academy of Sciences have played an important role in the creation and
organization of the Council.
When asked why was it important to emphasize science and innovation, and not
technology – which has been Malaysia’s focus, he replied, "Innovation is a
broader concept than technology.
"While technology is important, innovation refers to the creative use of
technology to solve specific problems or develop new products, often
incorporating other non-technical competencies such as ergonomics and design."
To a question on how GSIAC could focus on innovation vis-à-vis Malaysia’s
development plans such as the Economic Tranformation Programme (ETP), New
Economic Model (NEM), and National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) and importance in
achieving high income levels, Rubinstein believes that the ETP, NEM, and NKEAs
are critical to Malaysia’s economic future.
He said that GSIAC’s focus on innovation will complement these ongoing and
evolving plans where areas like capacity building will be cross-cutting among
most areas of economic focus."
"It also harnesses Malaysia’s IT strengths to solve pressing social and
economic challenges through all the concept and envisions with the coordination
of the implementation phase with governmental and industry leaders responsible
for other components of the aforementioned plans."
Rubinstein said competition is global, (therefore) Malaysia must focus on
ways to enable its companies to compete in higher value-added market segments as
opposed to commodity markets (and) innovation is the way to do this, generating
wealth, prosperity, and jobs."
NYAS has been at the forefront of science, technology, and innovation since
its establishment in 1817 and is well-positioned to help convene the Council and
undertake subsequent follow-up projects in partnership with the Malaysian
government.
As an independent non-profit organization, the Academy serves as a neutral
nexus of the academic, industrial, governmental, and NGO communities in the U.S.
and internationally.
The Academy harnesses this neutrality, its global network, and an
experienced staff to help address society''s challenges through science-based,
public-policy solutions,” he added.
In recent work with Mexico, Russia, and New York State, the Academy has
highlighted the importance of science and its related institutions in addressing
the needs of society.
"We believe these demonstrated capabilities combined with the knowledge and
experience gained from this recent project work make the Academy uniquely
qualified to undertake this partnership," he said.
For instance, based on the academy’s work with Mexico and in 2007, the
Mayor’s Office of Mexico City had embarked on a global search to identify
organizations to advise the city on best practices for fostering innovation,
science, and economic development based on technology.
The led to an alliance with the Academy, which leveraged on its core
strengths and international network of members in transferring critical
knowledge to a major developing city besides trying to improve the lives of its
populace.
In September 2008, the Academy organized a groundbreaking event in
collaboration with the Innova Trust of Mexico City.
And under the guidance of Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, the Science & Innovation
Week event, officially launched by the Mayor’s initiative to foster innovation
and economic development through science and engineering and brought together
key stakeholders from across academia, industry, and government with both local
and international experts.
"NYAS is now working on the next phase of the project whereby it is advising
the Mayor’s Office as it builds a Biomedical Knowledge City within Mexico City.
"This will be followed by a Sustainability Knowledge City focused on urban
sustainability, said Rubinstein.
-- BERNAMA
NER MR
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