Applications low for grant due to little info

TAWAU, Mar 4 (Daily Express) -- Less than 10 per cent of applications for Federal grants provided under the Science, technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) were from Sabah and Sarawak.

Its Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, however, noted that the number from both states was low and attributed this to the lack of information on the types of grants offered.

He said the annual application for the grants was around 2,000 and only 60 per cent passed the criteria required. "However, out of some 1,000 successful applicants, less than 10 per cent were from Sabah and Sarawak," he said when met after visiting QL Resources Berhad, Tuesday.

"Those few, like what I have seen taking advantage of the grant did very well with one or two having signalled intention to obtain more to widen the scope", he said.

On another matter, Ongkili said his Ministry is introducing a new concept currently used in Australia and European countries called InnoExchange (Innovation Exchange) which will ensure that any viable innovation would be brought up speedily.

He would bring the matter to Parliament during the next sitting and noted that the concept is still in its infancy even in countries implementing it.

He said the proposal was approved by the National Innovation Council (NIC) chaired by the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers had noted on the matter.

"This proposal is for the setiing ip od a committee comprising of professors from higher education institutes and members of the business communities."

He outlined the committee will be required to discuss matters pertaining to latest technologies innovations and keeping the matter confidential as any institutions with new ideas seen capable could be funded by any members from within the committee thus researching institutions will stand to benefit from grant given while business members could tap on the potential of any new innovations.

"On the side of the Government, we will be able to see such innivations taking off at mid stage and not waiting for a complete innovation before implementation," he explained.

Ongkili said this new approach is a far cry from the past method of conducting research and development on a particular innovation to be launched.

He said theya re hoping that it would be able to roll out the framework for such committee in three to six months.

"With this committee, we can short cut in introducing potential innovation to the market," he said.