The Penang Science Council & the science policy

I am delighted with the effort of the PR-led Penang state government in establishing the Penang Science Council (http://www.psc.org.my/).

I hope this effort will reduce the incident of brain drain that getting worst in our country these days
We have rich resources and talented graduates which should provide strong foundation to us. Unfortunately, we don’t have a sustainable and viable policies, plans to strengthen our advantages. As a result, our science graduates don’t have wider career prospect in the country, this causes them to look for better opportunity in other countries.

I remembered we used to have a very great plan in the National Biotechnology Policies with key research areas to be involved, strategic research assigned to the country’s elite institutions and each state had been allocated with the key development based on their strengths (availability of natural resources). The ambitious projects had attracted numerous students to pursue studies in biosciences, and today let’s us review what are the career outcome these graduates? I believe < 50% are involved in bio-related jobs. The major factor is lack of career opportunities, and of course last but not least lack of interest in this field by our graduates. However, we can't deny the fact that many graduates still wish to pursue career in science. Also, bear in mind that, availability of skilled workers are essential to the bioscience development despite of the natural resources we have.

From my point of view, several factors are essential to make the science policy success in the country:-

1) Sustainable and viable policy, and a S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely) goal. Also, we need to form a panel consists of politician, academician, NGOs, public to oversee the policy in order to ensure KPI (Key Performance Indicator) achieved. Recruit most qualified and capable human resources to run the policy with less political intervene. We should promote collaboration and knowledge transfer between local and international renown institutes.

2) World class education for Malaysian. Improve standard and quality of the higher education institutions in the quality, by practicing meritocracy. We should recruit top scholars and home talents come to our country, and prepare a good platform for them to exhibit their skills. I believe RRR (Recruit, Retain and Reward) are keys to attract world class expert to serve in the country!

3) Reform science policy: We need to establish sustained funding systems for scientific research in order to encourage researchers to carry out their studies. Foster innovations and promote technology-based ventures from local entrepreneurs by implementing stimulus plan (increase government funding, loan etc) and tax-relief. Greater government funding for investment in key research areas such as phytochemistry, neutralceutical research.  

Lastly, the most critical success factor is we need to have a good government with likely-minded policy makers. I wonder since the last general election until now is there any MPs question on the future of R&D in the country. To the best of my knowledge, I afraid no!

Therefore I would like to ask is there any ministers/deputy ministers/ MPs debate on national science policy? Don’t you think development on science& knowledge workers are important? What’s the status of Biovalley, etc. To what extent you are going to train local skill workers, and reduce the issue of brain drain to other countries? How much the budget is to be allocated to R&D?

I’m confident and strongly believe that the Penang Science Council is able to deliver a strategic plan that make us stand out of the crowd, to be the key science hub in SEA or Asia.

All the best! As a young researcher and anak Malaysia, I am ready to contribute and share my views. Cheers