US Presidential science envoy to strengthen ties with Malaysia PDF

KUALA LUMPUR: The bilateral ties on science, technology and
commercialisation between the United States and Malaysia are expected to
receive a major boost following the first ever US Presidential Science
Envoy’s visit to Malaysia.

The US Presidential Science Envoy and member of the Malaysian Prime
Minister’s Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council (GSIAC) Dr
Rita Colwell on Monday, July 25 met with members and associates of the
Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT).

She spoke at a special briefing moderated by MIGHT chief executive
officer Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman and Emeritus Prof. Dato’ Dr Zakri Abdul
Hamid, who is science advisor to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

In a statement July 25, MIGHT said the visit was to communicate
updates on the implementation of the GSIAC’s three recommendations from
its inaugural meeting in May.

The recommendations, namely on the Malaysian Biomass Initiative,
Smart Village and Smart City Programme and Capacity Building Programme
are being implemented by MIGHT, which is the main platform for industry,
government and academic collaboration in the country, it said.

Colwell is scheduled to participate in dialogues on teaching of
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), private sector
collaborations, collaboration with Higher Institution Centres of
Excellence (HICoE) in Malaysia and the GSIAC, it said.

MIGHT added that her visit was seen as part of a broader effort by
the Obama Administration to foster stronger ties with majority-Muslim
countries.

One key deliverable on the agenda for Dr. Colwell’s visit was the
establishment of a Young Scientist Programme for Malaysia with key
universities in the US, it said.

On the industry side, Colwell will be working to develop a joint
programme with the Malaysian Department of Defence and Air Force
Research Laboratory, joint projects for the development of the advanced
materials sector, green science and maritime industries, it said.

MIGHT said that visit was also part of Najib’s national agenda
setting for greater international cooperation on science, technology and
innovation including the launching of the GSIAC and MIGHT International
in May to facilitate strategic cooperation between local industry
members and international experts and Nobel Prize winners.