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Changing the landscape of STIE with Top Research Scientists Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: The development of science, technology and innovation (STI) in Malaysia has been rapidly increasing over time. Research scientists are contributing effectively in various fields to improve the lives of fellow Malaysians.

The Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) has recognised 134 outstanding individuals out of 5,500 STI talent profiles in Malaysia as the Top Research Scientists Malaysia (TRSM) over the last 10 years.

These individuals were identified based on their impactful contribution to the research and development of science, technology, innovation and economy (STIE).

The recognition of these scientists as TRSM reflects the huge calibre of Malaysian research scientists. Realising that the socio-economic development of the nation is dependent on their valuable efforts in their respective fields, these scientists are committed to changing the landscape of STI through disruptive research.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, in delivering his keynote speech at the announcement of the 2021 TRSM, acknowledged that these scientists have a huge responsibility to drive Malaysia through an innovation-led economy to achieve a high-tech nation status by 2030.

"I believe that excellent thinking in the scientific community as well as collaboration centred on science, technology and innovation will yield high-value expansion outcomes."

This year, 22 Top Research Scientists were recognised at the event on Wednesday.

The Academy of Sciences Malaysia president Professor Datuk Dr Asma Ismail urged the TRSM talent to translate world-class ideas into effective actions on the ground through pilot or demonstration projects for value creation and draw partnership as well as investments of business enterprises.

"In moving towards the innovation-based economy, impact-driven research is the way forward. The impacts are through demonstrable contribution that research makes to the economy, society, environment or culture beyond the contribution to academic research," she said.

One way to bridge the gap is to adopt the 10-10 MySTIE framework and the 30 National STIE niche areas as a tool to transform Malaysia into a knowledge-intensive economy and move up the global innovation value chain.

This framework is a call to action to bring together all the players in the field to collaboratively nurture a strong national STIE ecosystem for the development of robust sectors. This is crucial and critical for translating research into transformative and innovative outcome and facilitate effective decision-making in implementation of the framework for the community.

Malaysia aims to become a high-tech nation by 2030. The achievement of this goal is dependent on the efforts of researchers in STI-related fields. The recognition will boost their morale and motivate them to achieve Malaysia's aspiration.

ASM is an independent scientific organisation under the purview of the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry.

It has more than 800 experts in the disciplines of engineering sciences, medical and health sciences, biological and environmental sciences, information technology and computer sciences, chemical sciences, mathematics, physics and earth sciences, science technology and development industry, and social sciences and humanities.

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