KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 — Ministers and state executive councillors responsible for science, technology and innovation (Mexco-STI) convened their first meeting for this year, today.
The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) in a statement said the meeting, chaired by the Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, was also attended by his deputy Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, Mosti secretary-general Datuk Aminuddin Hassim as well as the relevant state government executive councillors.
Mexco-STI aims at coordinating the implementation of policies and programmes relating to STI as well as creating smart partnerships to enhance cooperation between the central and state governments.
“At today’s Mexco-STI, members discussed the formation of a collaboration to drive the nation’s biotechnology under BioAlliance and the propagation of STI at the grassroots level through the Resource and Innovation Space (RDC).
“Also discussed was the expansion of the implementation of smart city and the commitment of the Melaka state government through the establishment of the Centre for Research, Innovation, Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship@UTEM (Universiti Teknikal Malaysia) Melaka.
Technology development programmes that require the cooperation of state governments were also presented in the meeting such as the National Remote Sensing Satellite Development Programme aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the local satellite manufacturing industry and the National Nano Programme 2023 which serves as a platform for recognising local research and development in nanotech, it said.
Chang expressed his confidence that all focal strategies would be achieved through close collaboration between the Ministry and state governments under the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2021-2030 as well as the 10-10 Malaysian Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy Framework.
According to him, all initiatives are moving in tandem to expand the empowerment and application of science and technology to support the country’s transformation from technology user to technology creator.
“STI plays a crucial role as an enabler to drive the country’s economic growth and serves as the foundation for moving the nation towards high tech by 2030. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen and mainstreamed STI across sectors and levels in the national development agenda.”
— Bernama
