To underscore its commitment to make the country competitive globally,the Malaysian Government allocated RM4.3 billion under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) for research fund, said the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili.
“I argued vehemently against any cut in research fund due to the current economic situation during the last Cabinet meeting,and my Cabinet colleagues saw the critical need to continue supporting research work. They were saying don't touch the research grants. So a portion of the intended cut in research fund were put back and hopefully we will continue to be able to support research for the sake of the new economy the country is aiming for which is based on science and technology,” said Ongkili.
He said this when addressing researchers in Curtin University of Technology Sarawak Campus yesterday.
Present also were the deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, the Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Lee Kim Shin and the Dean Associate Professor Joan Gribble.
Ongkili expressed satisfaction with the university for its research effort.
Of the eight Curtin's ongoing externally funded research projects, five were funded by MOSTI.
“From what I saw, those are the kinds of things MOSTI are promoting. Your research is right on track and you are right in the centre of thing,” said Ongkili.
He was particularly attracted to the research by the university on Hardware and Software Design of Body Sensor Network Device, funded by MOSTI.
Another research which was particularly relevant to the country was Development of a Compartmented Fluidized-Bed Gasifier for Syngas Production and Power Generation from Biomass (palm wastes).
“I am personally biased toward biomass. This will be the jewel of research priority. Anyone addressing this part of research effort is sure to get millions of ringgit in research funding from my ministry. Every year 1 million of oil palm trees are being cut down and left to waste. If these wastes can be processed into ethanol, so there is a need to carry out research in this area,” said Ongkili.
“I encourage you to move on with your research effort in this university. For the next six months, I will be visiting all the universities who have received research grants from MOSTI, to see the progress of their research,” he added. ENDS with photo.
Caption: 08-8ongkili7: RESEARCH CUTTING EDGE: Ongkili (seated third from left) with the researchers and staff of Curtin. Lee is to his left.
