PETRONAS Management Training Sdn. Bhd. (PMTSB) - EPU

MTCP Alumni Newsletter
4
STRENgTHENiNg SCiENCE ANd TECHNOlOgY MANAgEMENT
iN OiC COuNTRiES
The Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), a statutory body
under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation,
Malaysia was established in 1995. Its mission is to pursue,
encourage and enhance excellence in the fields of science,
engineering and technology (SET), for national development
as well as development at the global level. Its five thrusts
are to provide advice to the Government, foster a culture of
excellence, assist in upgrading Malaysian industries, promote
public awareness and spearhead international collaboration.
Its 138 fellows are drawn from eminent Malaysian scientists,
engineers and technologists in the fields of medical sciences,
engineering sciences, biological sciences, mathematical &
physical sciences, chemical sciences, information technology,
and science and technology development & industry. The
ASM also has three Honorary Fellows who includes the Right
Honourable Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Prime
Minister of Malaysia.
At the 10th Session of the OIC Summit in 2003, Putrajaya, the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Science and Technology
for Socio-Economic Well Being of the Ummah was declared Vision 1441. It represents a vision for the Muslim world to
rededicate themselves to mastering S & T to face the challenges of the new global economy. One of the recommendations of
this Declaration is to launch a S & T management training course for S & T personnel in OIC member countries. ASM, as the
prime mover behind the Declaration, then joined the MTCP as a training provider in 2005. Its first management training course
dedicated for researchers in OIC countries was held in September, 2005 for 38 participants from 16 countries.
Participants
during the
hands-on
session
Participants
during their
site visit to
Perak
Participants
during the
study visit
to MARDI
Participants
during
the group
discussion
Group photo after the closing ceremony
Building on the success of the first training course, ASM
continued to organize this course in 2006 from 4-15 September,
2006 in Kuala Lumpur for 37 researchers from 17 countries
including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Egypt, Gambia,
Indonesia, Jordan, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Palestine, Pakistan,
Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Uganda and Uzbekistan. The course provides
participants with sufficient theoretical insights on current trends,
issues and challenges in S & T and innovation management as well
as skills on research management practices and promotes activities
aimed at fostering a creative and innovative organizational culture.
In addition, it serves as a platform to bring together researchers
in OIC countries to discuss opportunities for joint research
collaborations. Of particular value is the opportunity to network
and make contacts with research institutions in Malaysia.
Through this course, Malaysia is able to share its experience
in this field as well as our experience on national development
planning with regard to science and technology. During the core
training on sound research management practices several R & D
practitioners including Fellows of the Academy shared their expertise
and experiences with participants including on preparation of
research proposal and research report, intellectual property rights,
research monitoring, commercialization and techno-entrepreneur.
Participants were divided into groups for the preparation of project
proposals for funding. These project proposals were then evaluated
with the selection of the best group at the end of the course.
Other than classroom sessions, participants had the
opportunity to visit selected research institutions and research
centres such as Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development
Institute (MARDI), Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), SIRIM and
University of Malaya. These visits enabled participants to observe
R & D practices and actual research being conducted in Malaysia
including in biotechnology and bio-diesel as well as to interact
and establish contacts with research managers in these centres.
At the completion of the training course, participants expressed
their appreciation to the Government of Malaysia and ASM for the
wonderful opportunity to learn about S & T management practices
in Malaysia. They also expressed their intent of applying and
transferring the knowledge gained to their colleagues back home,
thus, assisting in multiplying the course’s benefits towards developing
human capital in OIC member countries.