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There is a growing interest on the
part of the scientific communities in both countries
to have inter-action through proper mechanism.India,
as a dialogue partner and Malaysia have been coordinating
in various S&T activities under the aegis of ASEAN
in the field of science & technology, specifically
in topics related to Advanced Materials, Biotechnology
and Information Technology
There has been a regular exchange of information
on S&T matters between the two countries on a
regular basis. The proposed visit of Malaysian scientific
delegation would pave way in concretizing the areas
of cooperation of common interest to both the sides.
Malaysia has made tremendous progress in the area
of Information Technology and is an active partner
in the ASEAN region to deal with the subject with
other countries and international bodies. India would
greatly benefit by joining hands with Malaysia.
Technology parks and Technology Incubator Programme
is being given great importance in Malaysia. Possibility
exists to develop inter-institutional mechanism to
bring about a greater inter-action among the academia-research
laboratories-industry.
The Department of Science & Technology through
various programs of Technology Development (Home Grown
Technologies, programs under Technology Development
Board, PATSER scheme of DSIR, etc.) has been encouraging
various projects/programs for updating the technologies
and up-scaling of processes for some time now. The
experiences could be shared with the Malaysian side
on a continuing basis through development of joint
projects/programs.
Advanced Materials and Advanced Manufacturing Systems
have been the subject areas of interest to both the
sides. There is a continuous dialogue going on between
SIRIM and some of the advanced research institutions
in India for joint development of technology products
having an cutting edge.
Entrepreneur development has been another area where
both India and Malaysia could possibly share their
knowledge. The University of Malaya Putra has developed
an Entrepreneur Development Part to encourage young
entrepreneurs to establish themselves to bring out
technologies as may be relevant both within and outside.
India is also giving due importance and in the process
has set up 12 Science & Technology Entrepreneur
Development Parks across the country through the efforts
of the Department of Science & Technology. Joint
programs / projects in this area also stands out.
Significant progress has been the visit of the Hon’ble
Minister (HRD, S&T and DOD) to Malaysia in September
1998 to conclude an inter-governmental Agreement on
Science & Technology Cooperation between the two
countries. Discussions during the visit have brought
out the importance of carrying out cooperative activities
in specific areas of Biotechnology, Information Technology,
Advance Manufacturing Systems, and Advanced Materials
through well defined modalities/mechanisms.
The S&T Agreement envisages the constitution
of an Indo-Malaysian Joint S&T Committee to monitor
the progress/projects as may be identified in common
areas of interest through the development of Programme
of Cooperation in S&T at regular intervals.
An Indo -Malaysian Joint S&T Committee has since
been set up under the chairmanship of Secretary, Department
of Science & Technology. New Delhi and Secretary
General, Ministry of Science & Technology and
Environment, Malaysia.
The first meeting of Indo-Malaysian Joint S&T
Committee was held in New Delhi during March 1-2,
2001. during the visit of a senior level Malaysian
team led by Mr. Ng Kam Chiu, Secretary General, Ministry
of Science, Technology & Environment to India.
The Malaysian delegation was led by Secretary General,
Ministry of Science & Technology and Environment
, while the Indian delegation was led by Prof. V.S.
Ramamurthy, Secretary, Department of Science &
Technology.
As a follow-up of the Meeting, another delegation
led by the Secretary General, led by senior experts
in specific area of Ayurvedic Medicine visited India
during August, 2002. This opportunity was utilized
to conclude a programme of cooperation in science
and technology. The POC was signed by the Secretary,
Department of Science & Technology on the Indian
side and the Secretary General , MOSTE on the Malasian
side. Under this POC, it has been agreed that the
four workshops will be organized two in India in the
areas of Advanced Materials and Biotechnology and
two in Malaysia in the areas of Bioinformatics and
Ayurvedic Medicine.
An Indo-Malaysian Workshops in the area of Advanced
Materials was held in National Metallurgical Laboratory,
Jamshedpur during March, 2002. 8 Malaysian Scientists
participated in this workshop, with around 40 Indian
scientists / researchers participating in the Workshop.
Proceedings of the Workshop is in the process of being
brought. Discussions are underway to organize the
other three agreed workshops between the two sides.
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