GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH NATIONAL INNOVATION CENTRE, SAYS PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The government will establish a National
Innovation Centre and a network of Centres of Innovation Excellence as a step
towards accelerating national innovation and commercialisation activities, said
Prime Minister Najib Razak.

He said this after chairing the fourth meeting of the National Innovation
Council here Thursday.

"The establishment of both these centres will ensure that the measures
towards innovation will be further strengthened and streamlined, leading quickly
to products which can be commercialised.

Najib said in making innovation a part of the key national agenda, it is
very important that the approach towards it, penetrates all segments of society.

"The innovation that we hope to implement embodies the quality of total
innovation.

"In another sense, it is innovation which is not limited to the field of
science and technology but encompasses innovation as a whole," he said.

Examples are, innovation in management, innovation in the community,
innovation in towns and villages, corporate innovation, industrial innovation,
innovation in education, healthcare, transport, social security network and
branding innovation.

Najib also announced that from next year, the National Quality Day
implemented at the level of Ministries in the public sector, will be replaced by
the National Innovation Day.

According to Najib, any ministry or government agency which introduces
creative and innovative solutions which lead to improvements in terms of
efficiency in management and the delivery system for the people, will be given
suitable incentives and awards.

He also disclosed that there was a proposal to establish an iconic National
Innovation Centre of the same standing as the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC).

"Whether this proposal is possible and suitable to be implemented from the
point of viability, needs to be studied by the government through the Ministry
of Science, Technology and Innovation," he said.

On human capital, related ministries have been asked to take follow-up
action to encourage and make innovation the culture, through the country's
education system.

"It was also decided at the meeting today that nanotechnology development
would be given priority and be made one of the resources of the country's new
economic model.

"Nanotechnology represents a new, advanced technological field at present
and for the future.

"Thus, it is important for Malaysia to not be left behind in the field of
nanotechnology and we have decided to give it importance," Najib added.

The National Innovation Council comprises 18 government representatives,
five from industrial associations and NGOs, two each from the academic sector
and professional organisations and five local captains of industry.
-- BERNAMA