Layout 27032008.indd - Portal Rasmi Akademi Sains Malaysia

LAPORAN PRESIDENPRESIDENT’S REPORTSatu lagi mercu kecemerlangan Akademi—12 tahunselepas penubuhannya—ialah penerbitan ASMScience Journal. Pencapaian ini juga merupakansatu pencapaian yang membanggakan oleh ASM.Kini kita menyaingi institut dan akademi bertaraf dunialain kerana berjaya menghasilkan sebuah jurnal saintifi kyang mendapat pengiktirafan para pengamal sains,sekaligus menyumbang kepada pertumbuhan sainsdan pengetahuan saintifi k, serta terlibat sama dalamledakan maklumat global. Pencapaian seterusnyaialah penganugerahan Felo Kehormat ASM olehAkademi Sains Malaysia kepada Prof Ahmed Zewail,pemenang Hadiah Nobel dalam bidang kimia tahun1999. Sebagai maklum an Prof Zewail merupakan ahliLembaga Penasihat Antarabangsa untuk ASM ScienceJournal.Sesungguhnya tahun 2007 mencatat banyak peristiwabersejarah, sebagaimana yang dapat dilihat menerusipelbagai aktiviti dan program S&T termasuk bengkel,forum dan seminar baik di arena tempatan mahupun dipersada antarabangsa, dalam menyuntik kecemerlangandan kesedaran dalam bidang sains, serta menjalinjaringan antarabangsa. Malah khidmat profesional,penjanaan akademik, ketekunan dan kecekalan yangmenjadi tonggak kemajuan dan pertumbuhan dinamikdalam segala sektor aktiviti melalui pengukuhan fungsiteras kita juga terserlah. Sesungguhnya, keyakinankita semakin memuncak berikutan peningkatan fungsidan sumbangan yang diamanahkan kepada ASM.Sebagaimana yang dibuktikan melalui aktiviti kita yangkian meluas, pengerak utama di sebalik keterampilanAkademi ialah Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi(MOSTI) serta pembiayaannya. Akademi terus menerimaperuntukan di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan(RMK9) untuk enam projek selain pembiayaan beberapaprojek terdahulu. MOSTI juga meyalurkan peruntukandana kepada Akademi untuk beberapa projek danaktiviti khusus/khas.Kerja-kerja pembangunan sistem pemeringkatanyang membolehkan pemantauan prestasi programpenyelidikan biayaan MOSTI sedang giat dijalankan.Sistem pemeringkatan ini menentukan dana P&P yangdisalurkan kepada universiti dan institut penyelidikanberwibawa memacu Negara ke arah industri berteraskanpengetahuan serta mampu berdaya saing di arenaglobal.Di bawah RMK9, ASM diperuntukkan dana demi memperkasakeupayaan dan kemampuan saintis tempatan untukbertindak sebagai penasihat kepada Negara danmenyediakan laporan strategik pakar berhubung isuAnother pip for the Academy—after nearly 12 yearsof its formation—is the publication of the ASM ScienceJournal. This also signifi es a great achievement forASM. We have now joined the status of other worldacademies and institutions in having a peer-reviewedscientifi c journal, contributing to the growth of scienceand scientifi c knowledge, and being part of the globalinformation explosion. Another milestone was theconferment of Honorary Fellowship of ASM to the NobelLaureate for Chemistry in 1999, Prof Ahmed Zewail, bythe Academy of Sciences Malaysia. We are also awarethat Prof Zewail is in the International Advisory Board ofthe ASM Science Journal.Certainly the year 2007 was an eventful one, as evidentfrom the numerous S&T activities and programmes,including workshops, fora and seminars locally andoverseas, in fostering excellence and awarenessin science and establishing international linkages.Moreover the professional service, academic output,hard work and perseverence leading to further progressand dynamic growth in all sectors of activities throughconsolidation of our core functions was also broughtto light. Indeed we are all the more confi dent withthe added functions and contributions entrusted onthe Academy. As increasingly shown in our expandedactivities, the prime force behind the Academy isthe Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation(MOSTI), and its funding. The Academy continued toreceive funding under the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP) forsix projects besides continuation of funding for otherearlier projects. MOSTI has also allocated funds to theAcademy for special projects and activities.Work in the development of a system of rating thatwould allow for tracking of the performance of researchprogrammes/activities funded by MOSTI, is in progress.The ranking system ensures R&D funds allocated touniversities and research institutions result in outputthat would propel the nation towards knowledgeintensive industries and global competitiveness.The Academy has been allocated 9MP fundingto build on the capacity and capability of localscientists to carry out advisory roles to the nationand prepare expert strategic reports on STI issues.6In Pursuit of Excellence in Science