NEWS: Maximum impression

THE Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry will propose the setting up of six national innovation centres in Malaysia to the Cabinet before the end of the year.

According to Science, Techno-logy and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, the idea for such centres came from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Dr Ongkili receiving an award from Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam. Looking on is Curtin pro vice-chancellor Prof Dr John Evans.

“It was originally proposed that one innovation centre be set up but the ministry felt that more centres would have a greater impact, he said after attending a briefing at Curtin University of Technology Sarawak (Curtin Sarawak).

Ongkili said that four centres would be set up in Peninsular Malaysia while Sabah and Sarawak would house one each.

Operated by the ministry, the centres would be located at selected institutions of higher learning, in order to establish close links to their centres of research and excellence, as well as to the public and private sectors.

Ongkili also said that he was impressed with the research projects being carried out by Curtin Sarawak.

He was commenting on the progress of ministry-funded projects, saying that they were consistent with its priorities and additional funds would be available for new endeavours proposed by Curtin Sarawak.

It is understood that the ministry plans to allocate approximately RM2mil to fund the university’s research and development activities under the ongoing Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010).

There are now seven ministry-funded projects at the university which include research on syngas production and power generation from biomass, ethanol production from agricultural products, micro-machining of advanced ceramics and the electrical properties of palm oil.

The ministry has disbursed around RM1.4mil towards these projects.

Ongkili also announced the offer of six places for suitable nominees from the university to pursue Master’s or doctorate degrees through the ministry’s National Science Fellowship programme.

His tour of the university ended with a visit to the Lance Twomey Building housing the university’s business school and its recreation and events centre.