KUALA LUMPUR - Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is optimistic the target to commercialise 360 high impact research and development (R&D) products can be achieved by 2020.
He said the decision to expand the scope of pre-commercialisation funds under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) was timely in helping more R&D products enter the market.
"Under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP), the government targeted to shift to a much higher level in Science Technology Innovation (STI) dominance with more effective outcome through programmes that would focus on R&D that had the traits of a 'game changer'.
"11MP strategies, namely the Malaysian National Development, is based on people oriented economy that stresses on enhancing the people's welfare and an economy that is based on a model that focuses on achieving a high income," he said when speaking at the National Innovation Awards (AIN) 2015 presentation here tonight.
Also present were Science, Teknology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin and Education Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Dr. Madinah Mohamad.
Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said Mosti's move to expand the fund scope so as to finance the Mosti Social Innovation or MSI, namely developing or implementing ideas in the form of products, services or models to fulfil social requirements was very welcome.
"Hence I wish to suggest that Mosti expands AIN starting from next year to include social innovation.
"Also in taking into account the vital role of the media in empowering STI national agenda, I suggest that Mosti from next year sets up a special category under AIN to appreciate journalists or media who have also contributed to the national STI agenda," he said.
The ninth AIN is held in conjunction with the National Innovation Exhibition and Convention 2015.
At the function, Muhyiddin presented AIN in four categories - Product, Services, Grassroots and School.
He also presented the National Youth Scientist award and National Technologist award in recognition of contributions and achievements in leading Malaysia's science, technology and innovation research.
The National Youth Scientist award was won by Associate Prof Dr Sharifah Rafidah Wan Alwi from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and the National Technologist award by Adz Jamros Razali from Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP).
This year AIN received 709 participation compared to only 430 last year. -Bernama
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