Harnessing the Manpower for IT Jobs

Malaysia needs to harness its potential to drive the key sectors in S&T
and R&D and become a competitive knowledge-based economy. In this context,
during the OPP3 period, priority will be accorded to increasing S&T and R&D
manpower, improving related infrastructure, strengthening existing mechanisms
for supporting R&D and technology development and diffusion, promoting S&T
awareness as well as enhancing S&T management. These will provide the basis
for a well-functioning national innovation system and underpin the National
Science and Technology Policy.

To provide the impetus for S&T and R&D initiatives, the public sector
will increase the proportion of the budget allocated for this purpose. The funding
mechanism for R&D activities will be streamlined to ensure optimum utilization
of funds. Proposals for research will be evaluated by a panel of experts, including
foreigners, in the proposed area of research. The corporate sector, including the
small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), will be provided significant incentives
to allocate a greater proportion of their revenue for R&D.

Greater selectivity will be exercised in terms of the areas for S&T
development to maximize benefits to the nation. The areas where Malaysia has
already built its strength and where the opportunities for growth and leadership
are highest, will be promoted. In line with this, S&T and R&D efforts will be
refocused and reprioritized by systematically identifying areas, including those
that are emerging and generic, that are strategic for Malaysia to develop into
a knowledge-based economy.

To strengthen the capacity to identify, assimilate and exploit knowledge,
the public sector research institutions will enhance their level of expertise and
capability. The private sector will be encouraged to do the same. While efforts
will be taken to expand the supply of S&T manpower, firms will be encouraged
to offer appropriate training to employees to upgrade their skills. FDI will be
increasingly used to leverage R&D and technology capabilities from abroad. The
private sector will be urged to forge strategic alliances with suitable foreign
partners to ensure that R&D activities are not insular. Malaysia will seek out
and provide assistance to multinational companies with strong R&D capability
in strategic areas to invest in the country. In addition, the incentive mechanism
for FDI will be reviewed to pay special attention to those that are supported by
new and value-adding R&D activities to be located in Malaysia.

In order to improve the diffusion of research findings and increase its
commercial applicability, efforts will be taken to forge greater collaboration
among public research institutions, universities and clusters of industries. Industry
associations will be encouraged to take the lead in the implementation of industryspecific
programmes.

In an effort to instil greater awareness and foster greater appreciation for
science, the teaching of science in schools and tertiary institutions will be
reviewed regularly to ensure that the content is relevant, up-to-date and is taught
in an interactive and lively manner. In addition, the Government in partnership
with industry and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will undertake
programmes to popularize and promote S&T.