2010 IS MALAYSIA INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY YEAR

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- The launch of 2010 as Malaysia's
Innovation and Creativity Year is seen as a start to the government's efforts in
inculcating innovation as part of our culture.

National University of Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - UKM)
deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation Affairs) Dr Rahmah Mohamed said,
with continuous implementation of the programme, Malaysia would be able to
produce a new generation which practised such a culture.

"The launch is a move towards culturing innovation to enable the
community
to improve the economy and be more competitive," she said in an interview with
Bernama recently.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak will launch the Malaysia Innovation
and Creativity Year at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre
Wednesday.

In Budget 2010, Najib had stated that a new economic model based on
innovation,
creativity and value-added activities would multiply the people's per capita
income in the next 10 years.

Dr Rahmah said it was important for the programme to be held continuously
to ensure the country enjoyed the benefits promised.

"If this programme is to increase innovation among the younger generation,
they must begin in schools," she said.

She said the Permata Pintar programme initiated by the prime minister's
wife, Rosmah Mansor, was capable of fostering and increasing
creativity among students.

The innovation culture could be developed and made into a module in schools
nationwide, as there were smart children in schools but no programme to bring
out their competitiveness, noted Dr Rahmah.

"They (smart children) may feel that at times, there is no challenge, but if
such modules are present with special teachers to teach them, each school will
have innovation."

-- BERNAMA