The Malaysian Industry Group High Technology (MIGHT) is a non-profit technology think tank under the purview of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Malaysia).[1] It was established in 1993 to support the Science Advisor to the Prime Minister and leverage multi-disciplinary and inter-ministerial synergies from both industry and government.
MIGHT was tasked to help drive the advancement of high technology competency and capacity in Malaysia. A public-private partnership organization in nature, it provides a consensus building platform for collaboration in developing policies and providing strategic advice to the government.
Through its platform and works, MIGHT gave birth to notable and strategic national initiatives such Malaysian Formula 1 Grand Prix, Kulim High-Tech Park, Malaysian Automotive Institute, Technology Depository Agency and many others.
History
Malaysia's emphasis on development of science and technology is nothing new. The government has long initiated active measures to promote and develop techno-business opportunities by harnessing science and technology. In 1984, under then Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, a Science Advisor's post was created in the Prime Minister's Department to create a conducive ecosystem where science and technology and its uptake could flourish. The move is seen as complementary as well as to provide a second opinion to those of the relevant Ministries. Dr. Omar Abdul Rahman[2] was appointed to the post of Science Advisor to the Prime Minister and held the post until he retired in 2001.
The seed of MIGHT was sown when a Unit under the Office of Science Advisor was created aptly named 'High Technology Special Unit' (Unit Khas Teknologi Tinggi). This unit then grew to become what MIGHT is today.
MIGHT's focus and emphasis has been very dynamic throughout the years but has always been in the areas of high technology and heavy engineering. The focus emphasis was dependent on the maturity of the industry as well as timing of the intervention.
MIGHT is helmed by a President and Chief Executive Officer and supported by Senior Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents. The makeup of the senior management changes with the growth of the organization as well as changes in emphasis to reflect the dynamic nature of MIGHT's focus areas.
Foresight and futures thinking is the core competency and activity of MIGHT.[9] Known as technology prospecting in its early days, MIGHT has been conducting technology foresight and futures studies work to support its other activities though there are evolution and changes to the methods and processes.[10] To expand foresight beyond technology, MIGHT created myForesight - Malaysia Foresight Institute in 2012.
myForesight (Malaysian Foresight Institute)
myForesight was created in 2012 with the objectives:
To explore of future possibilities for better decision making
To build national capacity in foresight and futures
Technology priorities and advancement
The outcome of MIGHT's foresight and future studies are used to prioritize technology and industry development in Malaysia. To date, MIGHT has produced more than twenty industry/sector blueprints and road maps. These documents were used as references to chart the development of various industry and technology in Malaysia. Various white papers and proposals by MIGHT are also used for these purposes.
In continuous search of new areas, some of these programs have since been passed to other government agencies or machineries to undertake.
Technology and industry plans and reports
Malaysian high technology report
Malaysian aerospace industry report
Malaysian shipbuilding and ship repairs industry report[11]
National Offset Program[13] (Now by Technology Depository Agency)
Malaysia Automotive Institute (Now under the purview of Ministry of International Trade and Investment)
Malaysia Microchip Project
Industrialized Building System - IBS
Global strategies and outreach
Since its inception, MIGHT has actively been leveraging its global network as part of a strategy to built national capacity as well as to disseminate knowledge and expertise. Notable past activities includes Langkawi International Dialogue, various Smart Partnership program with CPTM.
Global Science, Innovation and Advisory Council (GSIAC)
GSIAC[14] is chaired by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, The secretary is the Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The council consists of selected Malaysian Ministers, national and global corporate leaders, Nobel Laureates, eminent global academicians and researchers. The council meets once a year to deliberate on strategic and future matters that will benefit Malaysia in the long run
myKOR[15] or Malaysia Korea Technology Center was launched by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on 20 October 2008.[16] The center purpose is to serve as a gateway for Malaysian organizations and businesses to capitalize and gain access to the pool of Korean IPs and technologies, for the purpose of enhancing and increasing the value of Malaysian made products and services.[17]
Enhancing future talents
Recognizing that technology and industry development will require the necessary human capital to support them, MIGHT has been involved in various human capital development programs. This is done through partnership with selected educational institutions as well as industry collaborators. These include programs that aims to promote the uptake of Science,[18] Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) amongst students as well as industry bridging programs.
KLESF[19] is an annual program jointly organized by MIGHT, Akademi Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. The program objectives is to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to students, parents, teachers and public alike.
Fame Lab Malaysia
Fame Lab is a science communication competition co-organized by MIGHT and British Council in search of the best science communicator in the country. In 2016, Dr Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam, representing Malaysia won the ‘Best Science Communicator award at Fame Lab International 2016.[20] Fame Lab International is the world's biggest science communication competitions organized in the United Kingdom attracting participants from 27 countries.
School Lab Malaysia
School Lab Malaysia is a science communication competition that aims to help students understand the exciting challenges of science, develop critical and creative thinking skills and, at the same time, gain confidence to present their understanding of scientific concepts.[21]
Technopreneurship excellence
MIGHT's foray into entrepreneurship is due to its role in encouraging the uptake of technology business. To date MIGHT's venture into this includes technology advice and coaching, market identification and access.
Global Cleantech Innovation Program (GCIP) is a program conducted in collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organization[22] (UNIDO) and Cleantech Open to assist Malaysian entrepreneurs in the area of green and clean technology. The program started in 2014 and the winners of the program are given opportunities to pitch in Silicon Valley as well as access to funding provided by Platcom Ventures.
^Achukuala, Cheryl (5 November 1014). "Aerospace plan set for take-off". No. News. New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 14 November 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
^Chandran, Sheela (2 May 2014). "Zakri, A Giant Among Men". No. Lifestyle. The Star Malaysia. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
^Black, Richard (19 May 2011). "Reaching out for sustainability". No. Science and Environment. BBC. BBC. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
^Sani, Rozana (27 June 2016). "Raising interest in science". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
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