Nerdy Science Blog

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak outlined the 2010 Budget Speech on 23th October 2009, Friday.  This is the first Budget of  Datuk Seri Najib since he became the Prime Minister of Malaysia.  I quoted few sections involving the development of science and technology in Malaysia National Budget 2010.

INTENSIFYING RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALISATION

34. Currently, expenditure on R&D activities is at 0.6% of GDP, well below the United States at 3%, South Korea 3.5% and Taiwan 2.4%. To Shift towards a high-income economy, we need a strong foundation in research, development and commercialisation (R&D&C) activities. Therefore, to strengthen R&D&C activities, the Government will undertake the following measures:

First: Rationalising all research funds and grants to be more effective to achieve set targets;

Second: Establishing a National Innovation Centre supported by a network of innovation excellence centres under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education;

Third: Integrating R&D activities with patents, copyrights and trademarks registration to ensure R&D&C processes are implemented more effectively. The cooperation between patent and research agencies will expedite the commercialisation of research findings; and

Fourth: Providing small and medium enterprises with tax deduction on expenses incurred in the registration of patents and trademarks in the country.

…

DEVELOPING GREEN TECHNOLOGY

54. Green technology has the potential to become an important sector in economic development. Towards this, the Government launched the National Green Technology Policy in August. The objective of the policy is to provide direction towards management of sustainable environment. To further promote the development of green technology activities, the Government will:

First: Restructure the Malaysia Energy Centre as the National Green Technology Centre tasked with formulating a green technology development action plan. This Centre will function as the focal point to set standards and promote green technology. To intensify green awareness activities and practise environment-friendly lifestyle, an allocation of RM20 million will be provided;

Second: Organise an international exhibition on green technology in April 2010. The exhibition is expected to attract internationally renowned companies and experts in green technology.

Third: Develop Putrajaya and Cyberjaya as pioneer townships in Green Technology, as s showcase for the development of other townships; and

Fourth: Give priority to environment-friendly products and services that comply with green technology standards in Government procurement.

55. To promote green technology, the Government will establish a fund amounting to RM 1.5 billion. This fund will provide soft loans to companies that supply and utilise green technology. For suppliers, the maximum financing is RM50 million and for consumer companies RM10 million. The Government will bear 2% of the total interest rate. In addition, the Government will provide a guarantee of 60% on the financing amount, with the remaining 40% by banking institutions. Loan applications can be made through National Green Technology Centre. This scheme will commence on 1 January 2010 and is expected to benefit 140 companies.

…

ENHANCING HIGHLY SKILLED HUMAN CAPITAL

59. High quality human capital is a prerequisite to support the national development agenda. Therefore, the Government will ensure human capital development is implemented comprehensively, encompassing efforts to increase skills and knowledge. Apart from this, measures will be taken to develop intellectuals in science and technology, groom entrepreneurial capabilities as well as nurture positive and progressive values.

You can download the full speech of Malaysia Budget 2010 Speech here.

“The Science and Technology System of Malaysia” is a good overview of Malaysia’s science and technology system written by V.V. Krishna.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) is the lead ministry that formulates policies in the area of science, technology and innovation. MOSTI also implements many programmes related to the promotion of S&T and national R&D activities. The National Council for Scientific Research and Development (NCSRD) is an advisory body comprising high-level representatives from the public and private sectors as shown in Figure 1. The main function of the NSCRD is to provide advice and directions on S&T policies and S&T priorities. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation acts as the secretariat to the National Council of Scientific Research and Development (NSCRD). The Council is chaired by the Chief Secretary to the government. Representations include the universities and public research institute and key central government agencies, and the private sectors. This council meets three to four times a year to deliberate on matters related to research and scientific advancement.

The paper helps the reader to understand the governance system of science and technology, fundings, policies, schemes, programmes, commercialization opportunities, history and development of science and technology in Malaysia.

There are some updates since the publication of that paper, but it is a nice paper to understand the science and technology system of Malaysia.

Education in Malaysia:

A professor from UiTM in the faculty of chemical engineering has informed us of an opportunity for students looking to pursue their PhD in the field. We are publishing this notice as a public service for interested students, and this should not be taken as an endorsement of the programme. The details:

Ph.D. studentship opportunities

Master’s degree holders interested to pursue Ph.D. in any of the following research themes at Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA are invited to forward their CVs to yinyang@salam.uitm.edu.my and yinyang@streamyx.com. A stipend will be provided for the suitable candidate to support his/her study.

The research themes are:

1) Hazardous waste treatment (e-waste; soil, water and air decontamination).
2) Synthesis and application of nanoporous materials.
3) Life cycle assessment
4) Clean technologies
5) Brownfield management

Candidates that show excellent progress during their study shall be considered for paid short-term research placements in either Japan, South Korea, Australia or Germany. The selection criteria for this Ph.D. studentship are listed in the following:

1) Good written english;
2) Published at least an ISI-indexed journal article as the first author (preferably – not essential);
3) Graduated either cum laude or has at least an Upper Second Class Honours undergraduate engineering or science degree.

On May 15, 2009, UEM Land Bhd and Malaysian Biotechnology Corp Bhd (BiotechCorp) signed a memorandum of collaboration (MOC) to develop and set up a biotech hub, which will be known as “Bio-XCell”, together.  Both parties are expected to sign a definitive agreement in developing 70 hectares biotech hub in Nusajaya, Johor in a couple of months.  Currently the working relationship between both parties is governed by the MOC.

Zulkifli Tahmali, UEM Land strategic marketing and corporate communication director, told the reporters at Malaysian Pavilion at the Bio International Convention 2009 that both parties are still discussing the matter of land, infrastructure, facilities, and equity.  Zulkifli said that UEM Land Bhd will contribute its developmental expertise, whereas BiotechCorp will bring in its biotech expertise.  It is expected that “Bio-XCell” will benefits not only University Technology Malaysia locate nearby, but also Singapore’s advanced biotech industry.

There are also other projects currently developing in Nusajaya, which are the Johor State New Administrative Centre, Southern Industrial and Logistics Centre, International Destination Resort, Residences at Nusajaya, EduCity, Medical Park and the Puteri Harbour waterfront development.

(news [pic])

Congratulations to Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili and Fadillah Yusof for staying in Malaysia new Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s cabinet.  The Najib administration was announced on Thursday.  Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili is still the minister of Science, Technology and Innovation ministry, and Fadillah Yusof remains as deputy.

Previous year has been quiet but we will continue to watch you.

Chakra Biotech Sdn. Bhd. is a joint venture between Malaysian Life Science Capital Fund and Malaysian Technology Dev-elopment Corp.  Chakra Biotech announced it is investing US$8 million in Penang to set up a 40,000 sq ft neurobehavioral laboratory at Universiti Sains Malaysia.  The new laboratory will be started off in two months and test the new drugs for treating central nervous system disorders.  The company chief executive officer Anthony Bishop said 80 staff will be employed.  Anthony Bishop said that the present global drug testing service market is about $30 billion a year.

Chakra Biotech’s preclinical drug screening technology was licensed from Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, and it will operate and commercialize from Malaysia.  Malaysian Life Science Capital Fund’s major stake holder is a US-based venture capital company, Burrill & Co.  There are two other biotechnology companies in Penang also offer preclinical drug test runs, which are Progenix Research Sdn Bhd and Alpha Biologics Sdn Bhd.

(news)

“Your baby might be cripple, however we could not confirm that until he was born.”  What would you react if a doctor tells you that?

The same situation happened in Malaysia.  News at here (Chinese), and I translated certain paragraphs in this post:

….

In a speech given by Mohd Ali Rustam, he mistakenly said police as the court, “The court asked him (Anwar) to provide his DNA to prove that he is innocent.  But why he rejected?  Is there any problem?  This is because he is guilty and he seems very worried!”

“He argued that the sample will not be obsolete, but if you want to test whether you are suffering from diabetes, would you use old sample or the latest one?  Of course the latest one!  The fact is so simple and we should inform everyone regardless of race.”

….

DNA fingerprinting is not blood testing.  If DNA sample will be obsolete, that means Human Genome Project is a fraud.  You don’t need to clone a dinosaur to map its genetic map.  I guess this is why Malaysia Government is encouraging the people for science education, but seems like it forget to educate the politicians.  This DNA-is-blood-testing thinking should be corrected.  So for those jobless science graduates, stop googling that you have no jobs!  You can choose to become journalist and educate the public especially the politicians who think they outsmart everyone (Yes, some politicians think that talking about DNA is cool although they have no idea what it is).

[head tip: Kean Jin]

Malaysia’s Ministry of Science and Technology and Innovations (MOSTI) has allocated RM4 billion fund for science and technology research.  The research works involve food production, agriculture and bio-fuel industry.  However not all fund will go into research and development, part of the fund will be used for commercialisation projects.  MOSTI Deputy Minister, Fadillah Yusof said that the fund will be given to private and public institutions, and private researchers.

(news)

The Inoculated Mind just shared a new Malaysia Biotechnology Blog, namely Malaysia4Biotech.

I’m glad to see that there are more science related blogs in Malaysia blogosphere.  The blog is consisted of three authors, who are Mahaletchumy Arujanan, Joel William and KC Liew from Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC).

Why Blog On Biotechnology?

However, we are lagging behind many nations which seriously points out that the current efforts put into this area are insufficient or ineffective. Many constraints and hurdles are faced by those involved in the biotechnology sector. Lack of funding, grants, expertise, pool of skilled workers, experience in commercialization, collaboration between scientists and the industry, and commitments from venture capital and bankers are some of the glaring constraints and hurdles faced. This is coupled with the anti-technology movement spearheaded by activists, environmentalists and consumer groups. Sentiments such as anti-technology, globalization, and monopolization by certain multinational companies have been planted into the minds of the general public.

Although there are not much posts have been published at that blog, I read all of the posts and I found it easy to read.  No jargons are used and the articles are good.

Six science and technology memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed by Malaysia and Indonesia on Saturday to strengthen the existing relations.  This MoUs involved agencies under the Malaysia’s Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and Indonesia’s Research and Technology Ministry.  Three leading institutions of higher learning in the republic were also involved in the MoUs.  The ceremoney was witnessed by Malaysia’s Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, Indonesia’s Research and Technology Deputy Minister Teguh Rahardjo, and Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Zainal Abidin Mohamed Zain.  Mimoas Bhd will be carrying out research in the field of microelectronics and optoelectronics for data security with Bandung Institute of Technology, Sepuluh Nopember Surabaya Institute of Technology, and Universitas Indonesia under MoUs.  Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) Malaysia also signed an MoU with Indonesia’s National Nuclear Energy Agency to enhance regional human resources competency and nuclear safety.  Jatropha biofuel which is a hot research topic in South East Asia was also included in the MoU between Malaysian Industry Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and Surfactant and Bioenergy Research Centre to develop and commercialise jatropha fuel.  Alternative renewable energy development and commercialization is also included.  MIGHT and Biomac Corporation will also cooperate in the business development of Jatropha Curcas.

(news)