To position itself as a knowledge-based economy, Malaysia is looking to India to tap scientific expertise, ranging from nanotechnology to life sciences.
The strategic partnership would entail the country inviting Indian scientists under a government alliance.
The idea for such a partnership surfaced in Delhi on Tuesday, during talks between Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Maximus Ongkili and his Indian counterpart, Pawan Kumar Bansal.
“India has strength in many scientific areas, we could look at scholars exchange programmes in nanotechnology, biotechnology, life sciences and climate change.
“Indian companies setting up offices in Malaysia can later tap into this pool of talents,” Ongkili told Bernama in a recent interview. India churns out about half a million-science graduates annually, many absorbed by foreign companies and reputable research institutions worldwide.
Its scientific research has reached world-class status and its homegrown scientists are moving fast in space technology, genetic engineering and medical sciences.
Bansal noted: “With the development here (India), there is a great potential in scientific research. There is tremendous scope for scientific exchange cooperation.”
Both parties agreed to discuss the programmes of cooperation in the second science and technology ministerial level meeting between both nations, which Malaysia plans to host later this year.
Malaysia is striving to increase its researchers, scientists and engineers (RSE) to achieve the ratio of 50 RSE: 10,000 labour force in key sectors.
Ongkili, leading a Malaysian delegation, is on a weeklong mission to India and Bangladesh, to shore up cooperation in vital scientific and technology areas, much needed by Malaysia to propel its ambitious Vision 2020.
– Bernama
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