IT is now two years since the cabinet endorsed the Third National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (NSTIP3). Unfortunately, not many scientists are fully aware of the details of the policy. This is despite the policy being long-displayed on the official website of the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry.
Admittedly, the development of the policy went through a very rigorous discourse among the stakeholders of science in the country. These include scientists from the universities and research institutes, officials of the many relevant government ministries including the Economic Planning Unit and also some industry associations.
And most agree that the NSTIP3 has been well thought of and should prove to be a useful guide to address many of the challenges facing Science in the country.
NSTIP3 has proposed six thrust areas or pillars to move the nation’s science agenda forward. These are Research Commercialisation, Talent Development, Industry Participation, Science Enculturation, International Linkages and Governance.
Though all the six pillars are important, many have singled out enculturation as the one thrust that can make a difference to all the other pillars. Enculturation is all about getting our society to embrace science as a culture.
Society must learn to appreciate the role of science in everyday living. At the moment, science is still alien to many. Science literacy among the public is still low. This explains why many look at science as unimportant — not fitting into the scheme of everyday living. Yet, on the contrary, countries where societies are more familiar with science often see the true value of science in resolving some of society’s problems.
We as a nation, for example, face problems in trying to attract good talent to study science. It has been widely reported that the government’s effort to get at least 60 per cent of students to take up science has not met the target.
Instead, the latest survey shows less than 30 per cent join the Science stream. There are a number of reasons for this. First, students see science as difficult. Second, parents do not see science as a good career option for their children.
The Academy of Sciences has embarked on a number of programmes to address such concerns. Through its Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) programmes, we have shown that studying science is not difficult. In fact, it can be exciting.
The Academy has also created an online science literacy programme. It is called “ScienceBuzz”. For a few years now, the portal has built a collection of easy to understand information about science, especially on how science helps explain some of the things we observe in daily life. Fellows of the Academy have from time to time delivered career talks on science to schools. Unfortunately, funding for such programmes has not been consistent.
Enculturation is a long-term process. It is not something which can happen overnight. That is why the academy has been calling for a dedicated fund to finance well-planned long-term enculturation programmes for Science. As usual, the programme should be closely monitored and reported. There is a suggestion to develop such science enculturation activities at the parliamentary constituency level. Members of Parliament can also participate. This would also address the lack of discussion on science in Parliament.
Take the issue of climate change for example. Though it is recognised as one of the risk areas for countries including Malaysia, we can hardly hear it being debated in Parliament. Fellows of the Academy are ready to provide the necessary inputs for such parliamentary discourse. If MPs regularly raise matters on science in Parliament, it should help boost the science enculturation agenda for the nation.
In all our development plans, the importance of Science and innovation has always been emphasised. But, without a strong culture in Science, the targets set will continue to elude us. The intention is not to have everyone become a scientist. What we need is a strong literacy in science among all professions including lawyers, accountants, administrators, politicians and others.
If society is truly appreciative of science, then getting industry to invest in research would not be a problem. In fact implementing NSTIP3 would just be a breeze!
The writer is a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, and UM Adjunct Professor